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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14S80 

(716)  872-4503 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Ji 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


Th( 
to 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographicaliy  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


n 
a 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 

Covers  damaged/ 
Couverture  endommagde 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurie  et/ou  pellicul6e 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  g^ographiques  en  couleur 


prKColoured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
I I    Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


D 
D 
D 


□ 


D 


Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serree  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intirieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouties 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  itait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  ^t6  filmdes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl^mentaires; 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6tA  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-Atre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mAthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 


□    Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

□    Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagies 

r~V  Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Lk_J    Pages  restauries  et/ou  pellicul6es 

r~|/Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Lkj    Pages  d6color6es,  tachetdes  ou  piqu^es 

□    Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d6tach6es 

["Tb^howthrough/ 
I— kj    Transparence 

□    Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Qualiti  indgale  de  I'impression 

□    Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 

□    Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


Th 
poi 
of 
filr 


on 

be( 
th( 
sio 
oti 
firt 
sio 
or 


Th 
shi 

Tir 
w^ 

Ml 
dif 
ent 
be 
rig 
re( 
m( 


D 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  filmies  d  nouveau  de  fa^on  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film6  au  taux  de  reduction  indiquA  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


aox 


y 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Library  of  the  Public 
Archives  of  Canada 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grAce  h  la 
ginArositA  de: 

La  bibliothAque  des  Archives 
publiques  du  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Las  images  suivantes  ont  6t4  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
de  la  nettetA  de  l'exemplaire  film*,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimto  sont  filmto  en  commen9ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
derniire  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmis  en  commen9ant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  derniire  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
derniire  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  —^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN  ". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  lerge  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
filmis  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diffirents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA,  il  est  fiimA  A  partir 
de  I'angle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

\ 


1     ^'^<^  .  c  o 


f 


\' 


/Ju.   S)c 


/^-./ 


V 


/.*««*rf*.w/i*i#**jrf'fl«^»»^^/i»7*r,/Vi.^^j«Ar  Anw  ^im^gm  Arf^'i^  „*/(  ^^  A*  i-*oS->*  :&•«««' ^J»»X«. 


LETTERS  AND  JOURNALS 


REI.ATINO   TO   TUB 


Wm  0f  the  ^meriQtt  ilev0lttti0tt, 


'«NI)   TUB 


CAPTURE    OF    THE    GERMAN    TROOPS 
AT  SARATOGA. 

Rv  MRS.  GENERAL  RIEDESEl, 


TllANSLATED  FllOM  THE  OIIIGINAL  OEIIMAN, 

By  WILLIAM  L.  STONE, 

AutMr  of  the  Life  and  Times  qf  Sir  WiUlam  Johmon. 

"  ItUMANI  NIHll,  ALIENUM." 


\M',A^^': 
JOEL    MUNSELL, 

18C7. 


Fliitercd  according  to  Act  of  Congress  in  llie  ycar.lWi", 

By  J.  MUNSEIJ., 

In  llie  Clerl4'i>  Office  of  tlie  Dit-trict  Court  of  tlio  United  Stntcf, 

for  the  NortlU'rn  ]>i*>trict  of  New  Yorl<. 


TO 


JAxMES  B.   ANGELL, 
JJrcsibcnt  of  tl)c  UniucrsitQ  of  bcrmont, 

WHO 

FIRST    INSI'IHKI)    MK    WITH    A    I,OVK    FOR   TIIK    (IKRMAN 
liANdlJAUK    AN1>    MTKRATI'UK, 

THIS   VOLUM  E 


18  AFFECTIONATELV  INSCRIBED. 


TRANSLATOR'S   PREFACE. 


IIIK  memory  of  Mudumc  Hiudescl*  will  live 
in  the  hearts  of  Amerieiius,  as  long  as  let- 
ters shall  euJurc.  The  child-like  trust  in  Provi- 
dence, which  alouc  enabled  her  to  leave  u  luxurious 
home  and  powerful  friends,  and  follow  her  husband  across 
a  pathless  ocean  into  a  strange  land,  then  almost  a  wilderness,  for 
the  sake  of  sharing  with  hiiu  his  trials  and  hardships,  affords  an 
example  worthy  of  our  study  and  admiration.  Nor  can  any  one 
peruse  these  touching  records  of  a  devoted,  couj  ugal  love,  chastened 
and  sanctified,  as  it  was,  by  an  unaffected  religious  experience, 
without  the  consciousness  of  a  higher  ideal  of  faith  and  duty. 

A  few  detached  and  imperfectly  translated  portions  of  these 
letters  were  first  published  in  English  by  General  Wilkinson, 
in  his  Memoirs  of  my  own  Times,  and  wore  afterwards  copied 
into  Professor  Silliman's  Tour  in  Canada.  The  work  was  sub- 
sequently more  fully  translated  and  given  to  the  public  in  1827. 
This  translation,  however,  not  only  fails,  in  innumerable  in- 
stances, to  convey  the  ideas  and  spirit  of  the  original,  but  omits 
nearly  forty  pages  of  the  first  and  only  German  edition  published 


*  Ried-csel,  pronounced  Ro-day-zcl,  with  accent  on  second  syllable.    Tbc  cock- 
neys in  the  British  army  pronounced  it  liud-bazcl. 


i 


g  Th\\\sl.ATi)/rs  I'llKhWi'K 

jit  lleiTiii  ill  ISttd.'      Wlicii,  tlim-lMif,  a  lew  iikhiiIik  niiice,  Mr. 
iMuiifioll  projiosed  tliut  I  slnnilil  uiideitiiktMi  new  traiixlatioii  witli 
original  and   i-xjilanalory  imti's.    1   ciiloifd  into  tlio  work  witli 
alat-rity.      I    Iblt    tluil    it   was  a  duty  1  <>\vi'd  to  tlio  ineiiiory  of 
one,    wild,    as    tlio   assucialc    and    IVicnd    of    Wasliin^toii    and 
Sc'luiyliT.  (larleti)n  and   Hiiijioym',  was  so  ideiitilicd  with  the 
early  struj;jili'H  oi'  our  national  i.-xistt'iui',  to  iiresiuit  lier  cha- 
racter to  American  readers  in  its  true  liiiht.     In  his  attempt  to 
do  tills,  the  translator  of  the  edition  of  1S27  has  been  only 
partially  successful ;  and,  while  our  thanks  are  justly  due  him 
for  hih  pioneer  cH'orts  in  this  direction,  still,  justice  to  .Madame 
Hiedesel  forbids  the  incorporation  of  so  incomplete  a  translation 
into  our  standard  literature.      •  For  the  pa.ssajres  which  liave 
been  omitted,"  says  the  translator  in  his  preface  to  the  edition 
of  1M27.  "no  apolojry  will  be  re((uired  by  those  who  can  read 
the  original.     The  readinj^  purtioii  of  mankind  has  become  so 
hostile  to  vuliiarity,  so  delicate,  and  in  some  respects  so  fastidi- 
ously refined,  that  many  things  and  winds  that  were  perfectly 
innocent  and  itioffensive,  or  only  pervertible  by  the  sagacity  of 
proflipitcs  and  rakes,  at  a  time  not  distant  from  that  of  Fielding 
and  Smollett,  are  now  considered  utterly  disgraceful,  and  are 
wholly  banisbcd  from  polite    literature."       The  etlcct  of  this 
passage  is  to  leave  \\\>(n\  the  minds  of  those  who  have  not  read 

*it  was  entitled,  ?ic  |  *8cnif?  JMcifc  unci)  ^liiicricn  |  S^ricfc  bcr  |  Wciienilin 
Don  Micbcfcl  |  iiii?  bicfor  iHcifc  i  luib  |  uuihrciib  iljtcf  fccl;6j;il)rii)cii  9liif- 
entl;iilt«  |  iii9(mcrica  |  ,^iir  Jcit  bcJboi'tijjcii.^Uciijc*  |  in  bcii  CMil^rcii  177(5  bis 
178:^  I  iukIj  ?ciiticl;lnnb  nc|cl)ricbcit  |  55crliii  |  bci   '^aubc  uiib  <c\)i\m  \ 

18(10.     lUino,  pp.  X,  ;&J. 

The  voyage  of  duty  to  America;  letters  of  Mrs.  General  Kledesel,  upon  her  jour 
ney  and  during  her  si.\  years"  sojourn  In  Amerka,  at  the  time  of  war  in  that  country, 
in  the  years  l"t(>-1783,  written  to  Germany. 


/•/.'  I  \  s7,  I  T'lir  s   /■/.'AT''.  I  (  A".  7 

(lie  (iriuiiial.  a  toljillv  I'lil-c  iiii|irr,*si(iii.  If  \\w  I'i'ikIitm  uI'  lliis 
voliiiiK!  are  so  "  fastiilioiisly  ri'liiicil  "  us  tn  Ik;  sliockiMl  hy  any 
tliiiif,'  whic'li  llu'  imic  and  Invcly  Madanio  llii'dt'scl  liaH  written, 
it  i«  liiirli  tiiud  tiiat  tiu-  wdriis  nf  nm-  cliastt'st  aiitliorH  bo  put. 
out  ol"  tlieir  ruac'li,  until  tlioir  morbid  scnsibiliticM  bo  ro«torod  to 
a  bcaltby  tone.  DesiLMicd  lor  no  oyos  but  liiosc  of  iii'r  inotlicr 
and  licr  family,  these  letters  liav(^  an  unstiulied  I'limiliarity. 
There  is,  however,  nothiiiir  in  them  that  ean  oH'eml  the  correet 
and  enltivated  taste  of  any  true  man  or  won:  in.  Many  of  them 
were  written  amid  tiic  siekeuinji  iiorrors  of  the  eanip;  and  it  is 
lior  iirtlcRs  and  faithful  delineations  of  the  scones  through  which 
she  passed,  and  the  state  of  society  in  tiiis  country  at  one  of  its 
most  momentous  epochs,  thai  triveto  her  story  its  hij^hcst  charm 
and  value. 

A  translation  of  a  pa-ssajre  Ironi  Weld's  Voi/ikjc  to  North  Ann- 
n'ra,  in  relation  to  tiio  Indian  cliief  Tiniyendauegea,  which  forms 
the  appendix  to  the  German  vidume,  has  boon  omitted,  as  the 
original  is  accessible  to  the  Knglisii  reader.  ]n  its  place 
wo  give,  as  of  far  more  interest,  a  pcrsomil  sketch  of  tho 
baroness,  including  an  account  of  her  romantic  courtship  and 


The  appendix  to  the  edition  of  1827,  contains  several  letters 
from  General  lliede.^'el  to  Generals  Washington  and  Gates. 
These  letters  are  not  reproduced  in  this  volume,  as  they 
will  soon  appear  in  a  translation  of  the  Li/r  imd  W'n'litn/s 
of  (itncral  Jimhm-f,  upon  which  I  am  now  engaged.  This 
work  contains,  besides  Jliedcsel's  military  and  personal  jour- 
nal during  his  residence  in  America,  many  additional  letters 
from    Washington,    Gates,    Burgoyue,    Schuyler,    and   other 


8 


TKA XSl.i TOirs  ritFf'A IK. 


revniiitiimar}'  cliiiriicU'rH,  which  liavi!  lu'vcr  hocn  piililixliod  in 
KiigllHh. 

T(t  Kavitl  M.  Stone,  T.  W.  Field,  mid  the  lato  Theodore 
])wij;lit  of  Urimlilyn  ;  Friedrirli  Kapp,  CliarloH  Coii^^'don,  and 
l)avid  T.  Valentine  of  New  York  ;  Hon.  .Ind^'e  Hay  of  Saratoga 
Sprinjin;  and  to  my  loved  teacher  and  friend,  I'rof'eHHor  Kobin- 
Hon  V.  l>unn  of  Drown  I'niverBity,  I  am  indebted  for  kind  and 
valuable  HUg^estions.  Nor  muxt  1  forget  to  thank  Mr.  John  (*. 
liiittre  for  the  painH  he  Iuih  taken  with  the  nrtiHtie  en}j;raving 
whieh  I'orniH  the  frontispiece  of  thiH  volume. 

One  word  further'  in  relation  to  the  authenticity  of  the  en- 
graving it><elf.*  Upon  writing  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Max  Von 
Kclking —  the  author  of  the  Life  ami  Wri'tinys  of  (Hcncral  KiciJ- 
eitl,  now  residing  at  Meiningen  —  for  a  copy  of  the  portrait 
of  the  baronecH,  he  with  great  eourteny  complied  with  my  re- 
quest, necomjianying  the  photograph  with  a  letter,  under  date  of 
lleceuiber  7,  18(iG,  from  which  I  make  the  following  extract: 

"  At  last  I  am  able  to  answer  your  wish.  The  only  one  to 
whom  I  could  apply  is  liaron  Itotenhan,  a  grandson  of  Mrs. 
General  Riedesel,  who  has  inherited  the  whule  estate,  and  who 
is,  at  the  same  time,  in  the  possession  of  all  the  family  portraits. 
I,  accordingly,  send  you  enclosed  the  photograph,  which  you 
will  please  send  back  after  having  iLsed  it.  IMcase  send  mc 
five  or  six  copies,  which  I  would  like  to  distribute  among  the 
relatives  of  Mrs.  Riedesel.  IJaron  Kotenhan  has  not  given  mo 
any  other  items  in  relation  to  Mrs.  Riedesel,  although  I  asked 


♦Till'  porlrnlt  from  which  the  enprnving  is  taken,  rcprcscntH  Mndnine  nicdoPRl 
at  the  n}.'c' of  HLxtceii,  a  lew  weeks  before  her  marriage.  Il  was  painted  by  the 
eelebralcd  (ierniaii  artist,  TiDClibein,  in  ITtl'J. 


Tit.  ( \si. .  I  rmrs  fiinh- 1  <  >;. 


0 


liiiii  i'or  llu'iii.  I'i'dlxilil)'  lio  tliit'H  nul  kimw  iiinrt'  tliiiii  tlial 
wliicli  I  Imvi!  HtiiUid  in  my  I)io;;rii|iliy  oC  tlir  (Jtiiicral,  wliicli  was 
('(itiiiiiuiii(riitt'il  til  me  liy  IiIh  huh." 

Tito  kiiiilri(WH  of  tlii.n  rejily,  ns  well  is  the  iir(im|it  iinil  M|i|in'- 
c'iativc  rcHjKiiiHt!  of  liii'iit.  ('ill.  Kflkin<:iiii(l  Itninii  Nun  l{iil(!iihaii 
to  my  n>i|ui'Ht,  will,  I  iiin  cunlidi'iit,  (uiiiiiicikI  ilicm  tn  tin- 
gi'utitudc  of  tlio  American  ]iiiblif. 

W 1 1,1.1..  M    L.   Stom; 

S(iriito(/ii  Sj>n'ui/ii,  Jiiniiiin/  \sl,  1H(»7. 


PREFACE  TO  THE  GERMAN  EDITION. 


OF  those  Gcrnian  troops  which  England  liirod  for  tho  pnrposo 
of  concuR'ring  her  revolted  colonies,  (Jeneral  Itiedesel  com- 
manded the  Rrunswickers.*  In  the  year  1770,  he  departed 
for  America  at  tlic  head  of  those  troops,  leaving  his  wife  with  the  wish 
that  she,  together  with  their  children,  would  follow  him  to  that  portion 
of  the  glol)e.  This  she  did,  and  thus  created  the  occasion  for  the  let- 
ters which  the  reader  will  tind  in  this  little  volume.  The  authoress 
wrote  them  to  her  mother,  the  widow  of  Ihe  minister  of  stale,  his 
excellency  Iterrvon  JLissow,  and  a  few  intimate  friends  while  upon 
her  dangerous  voyage  and  during  lier  sojourn  in  America. 

A  few  years  subsequently,  this  correspondence  came  into  the  hands 
of  her  son-in-law,  Count  Henry  Reuss  the  XLIV,  grand-marshal  and 
chamberlain  to  llu^  court  of  Berlin. 

The  count  took  advantage  of  the  leisure  of  one  summer,  which  he 
spent  with  his  i)areiits-in-law  at  their  country-seal,  to  arrange  the 
letters  in  order,  and,  on  account  of  the  great  interest  which  they 
excited  among  all  the  relative's,  he  had  tliem,  the  following  winter, 
l)rinted  as  numuscript  for  the  family,  though  only  a  very  small 
numl)er  of  copies  wro  printed. 

General  Kiidesel,  however,  did  not  live  to  see  them  in  print,  lie 
died  on  the  sixth  of  January  of  the  same  year,  while  holding  the 


•Early  in  tlie  yunr  177(i,  Eujiliind  entered  Into  freaticH  willi  the  smaller  German 
Hiates  to  take  into  lier  service  '.iO.OOO  ficrnian  troops.  The  exact  number  of  those 
hired  was  Ki.lKX).  of  these  more  than  4,(KM)  were  llriinswickers.  Those  latter,  as 
stated  in  the  text,  were  placed  under  the  command  of  General  Hiedesel.  They 
consisted,  according  to  Max  Von  Eelkini;,  the  learned  and  industrious  (iernian  histo- 
rian, of  the  foUowinj;  troops:  1st,  a  retrimentof  (dismounted)  l)rai;oons.  under  I.ieut. 
Col.  Baum.  2d,  I'rince  Frederick's  re^iiment  of  Infantry ;  I.ieut.  (.'ol.  I'ralorius.  3d, 
Khct's  rejiiment  of  Infantry ;  Lieut.  Col.  von  Ehrenkrook.  Itli,  Riedescl's  former 
rojiiment  of  Infantry  ;  Lieut.  Col.  von  Specht.  Oth,  (irenadiers;  Lieut.  Col.  Urey- 
num.    Tth,  Uitle  Battalion  (Jagers) :  Lieut.  Col.  Barncr. 


PliEFA  CE  ro  THE  GEItilAN  EHITIOS. 


11 


position  of  lieiitenant-genern),  ami  conunundant  of  llie  city  of 
Brunswick. 

Even  witliout  tliis  liistorj-  of  tlie  appearance  of  tliese  letters,  one 
can  easily  see  from  the  letters  themselves,  tliat  tiiey  were  not  designed 
for  publication ;  still  as  it  is  not  every  thing  intended  for  publication 
which  is,  for  that  reason,  deserving  of  being  printed,  so  there  is  cer- 
tainly much  that  is  withheld  from  the  i)ul)lic,  which  is  worthy  of 
being  brought  to  its  notice.  Es])ecially,  did  this  seem  to  nio  to  be  the 
case  with  these  letters ;  and,  accordingly,  when  one  of  these  copies 
was  presented  me  by  th"  right  h(jnorable  editor,  I  entreated  him  to 
allow  me  to  prepare  an  edition  for  the  pul)lic.  The  count  granted 
the  recpiest,  with  tiie  remark,  "Yes,  certainly,  if  you  think  good  can 
be  accomplished  b\'  it."  I  am  most  assuredly  of  that  opinion.  If 
examples  arc  more  heeded  than  mere  precepts ;  if  fervid  attachment 
in  conjugal  life  ;  if  religious  observance  of  the  duties  of  a  mother;  if 
it  is  true  that  in  all  circumstances  and  situations  of  life,  nothing 
atlbrds  so  nnich  satisfaction  as  the  consciousness  of  having  acted 
according  to  the  dictates  of  dutj- ;  if  sacrifices  and  self-denials  of  all 
kinds  do  not  impair  the  ellbrts  toward  fultilling  that  duty;  if  a  deter- 
mined resignation  to  unalterable  circ\unstances ;  if  all  this  is  worthy 
of  imitation,  and  so  much  the  more  estimable  as  it  is  perhaps  rarely 
to  be  found,  especially  among  the  higher  classes ;  then  the  publication 
of  a  l)ook  wliicli  exhit)its  the  actual  practice  of  all  these  virtues,  cer- 
tainly cannot  be  without  profit.  In  .so  far  a-s  truth  is  of  more  value 
than  fiction,  the  greater  will  be  the  interest  with  which  these  letters 
will  be  read,  because  they  rest  upon  facts,  while  in  reading  even  the 
best  of  romances,  the  conviction  that  all  was  invented  for  the  pur- 
poses of  instruction,  must,  after  all,  lessen  the  atl'ectionate  sympathy 
and  weaken  the  moral  etfect  that  had  been  intended. 

With  the  approbation  of  the  highly  respected  and  honorable  editor, 
I  have  altered  the  title  of  this  little  work  for  the  present  edition.  In 
the  one  designed  only  for  the  family  it  runs  thus  : 

"Extracts  from  the  letters  ami  jjapcrs  of  General,  Han)n  de  Kiede- 
"sel  and  his  wife  ne<^  Massow,  concerning  their  common  voyage  to 
"  America  and  fhcir  sojourn  in  that  country,  compiled  and  arranged 
"  by  their  son-in-law,  Count  Ileuss.  Printed  an  nutniiitcfipt  for  the 
"familyr 

The  great  ninnber  of  l)ooks,  which  are  now  i)ublished,  make  it 
particularly  desirable,  if  not  for  the  general  reader,  at  least  for  the 
trade,  that  l)ooks  of  similar  contents  should  be  distinguished  as  much 
as  possible  by  the  title,  csik  :'ially  when  they  relate  to  joiirnci/i*.     If, 


11 

lllll 


12 


PHEFACE  TO  THE  OERM.LY  EDITIoy. 


tliirfforc,  a  title  is  nuicli  lietter  if  it  is  cliaiiuttciistic,  I  need  nmke  no 
apoloiiy  for  ealling  this  "  Tlie  Voya,<;c  of  Duty 'to  Anieriea,"  espe- 
cially as  ]Mrs.  (teneral  Hiedesel  does  not  come  tinder  tlie  category  of 
those  whom  Yorick  classes  as  travelers.  Proofs  of  the  correctness 
of  tills  discriminating  title,  the  reader  will  find  upon  every  page  of 
the  book,  if  indeed  it  is  not  literally  justified  on  pages  oO,  38,  and 
200.*  That  tlie  title  does  not  mention  tlie  letters  of  General  Hiedesel, 
and  the  fragment  of  his  journal  which  relates  to  the  military  opera- 
tions of  the  Knglish  General  Biirgoyne,  must  be  excused  by  the  fact 
that  these  letters  are,  iii>  this  connection,  nothing  but  a  part  of  a 
drama ;  and  the  military  report  must  be  considered  merely  as  an 
episode. 

A  few  typograi)hical  errors,  which  I  shall  not  allow  to  remain 
standing  in  a  revised  edition,  the  reader,  I  hope,  will  excuse  —  espe- 
cially as  they  consist,  for  the  most  part,  of  omissions  of  types  which 
can  be  set  right  without  difliculty. 

The  vigucttc  of  the  title  page  represents  a  prominent  cape  in  the 
St.  Lawrence  river  (cape  Diamond),  which  is  a  tliousand  feet  above 
the  level  of  the  water,  is  the  highest  and  most  fortified  point  of 
Quebec,  and,  in  fact,  may  be  regarded  as  the  citadel  of  the  city. 

In  addition,  also,  to  the  fact  that  this  promontory  presents  a  most 
pi(^tures(iue  appearance,  it  is  particularly  deserving  of  being  here 
given  as  an  embellislmicnt,  since  it  was  the  much  longed  for  goal  of 
the  tedious  voyage  of  the  authoress,  as  well  as  the  signal  of  its  ter- 
mination. 1  have  borrowed  this  suitable  little  ornament  from  Weld's 
Journey  to  j\'orth  Ainiriat,  a  work  that  was  issued  from  m^'  publishing 
house  at  the  same  time  with  the  letters  of  ^Irs.  General  Riedesel ; 
and  the  reading  of  which  I  can  confidently  recommend  as  \ery 
interesting  to  all  those  who  wish  to  get  a  true  and  comprehensive 
idea  of  the  recent  condition  of  the  free  states  of  North  America  and 

the  Canadas.f 

Caul  Speneu. 
nerliii,  May  Sth,  1800. 


.a. 


*  These  designated  pages  will  l)e  found,  in  this  translation.  In  the  twenty-first 
letter,  in  the  first  portion  of  "  The  account  of  Sirs.  Goncral  Riedesel's  journey  from 
Wolfenbtlttel  to  Bristol,"  and  in  her  remarks  just  previous  to  her  departure  from 
Cambridge  to  Virginia. 

t  Weld  sojourned  in  North  America  from  the  end  of  the  year  1795  to  the  hegln- 
nlng  of  the  year  1737. 


PERSONAL    SKETCH. 


KEDERIKA  VON  MASSOW,  iilUr- 
Wiirds  Bamiioss  Riedcsel,  was  born  in 
1T4(J.  Her  lather,  Lord  von  Massow  who  was 
commissioned  by  Frederick  II,  a  governing  presi- 
dent of  the  allied  army,  acted  as  commissary  in 
chief,  and  as  audi  was  entrusted  with  tlie  general 
management  of  atfairs.  He  was  a  man  of  sterling  worth,  and  in  every 
respect  deserving  of  the  trust  reposed  in  him  l)y  that  monarch.  Being 
obliged  to  remain  a  long  time  at  tlie  theatre  of  war,  and  not  wishing 
to  be  separated  from  his  family,  they  were  domiciliated  near  him. 

H(n-r  von  Ma.ssow  seems  to  have  been  a  genial  gentleman,  and  his 
house  was  open  to  many  officers,  who  eitlicr  were  quartered  in  the 
same  place  with  him,  or  resided  in  the  vicinity.  He  had  also  a  sou 
in  the  allied  army,  and  he,  too,  often  brought  his  friends  to  the  pa- 
rental roof  Sirs.  Massow,  we  are  informed,  was  an  extremely  amiable 
lady,  who  untlerstood  well  how  to  do  the  honors  of  her  house,  at  the 
same  time  that  her  husband  licpt  an  excellent  tr.bhr  But  that  which 
more  than  all  drew  the  young  officers  to  this  hospitable  house,  were 
the  beautiful  and  lovely  daughters  of  the  commissary,  who  by  their 
grace  and  unaffected  manners  bewitched  not  only  the  younger  offi- 
cers, but  the  older  and  more  experienced  g<'nerals. 

Riedesel  had  been  in  official  correspondence  with  llerrvon  Massow 
for  sometime  previous  to  his  becoming  personally  acquainted  with 
him  or  his  family.  He  was,  therefore,  on  Ids  first  appearance  at 
head-([uarters,  received  like  an  old  acquaintance,  and  as  such  intro- 
duced to  the  meml)ci-s  of  ttie  household;  where,  standing  high,  as  he 
did,  in  favor  with  the  duke  Ferdinand,  he  was  received  with  all  the 
more  distinction. 
Frederika  (called  by  her  own  family  Fritschen)  made  a  deep  im- 


4 


14 


PEliSONAL  SKETCtl  OF 


prcssion  upon  tlic  Iienrt  of  the  yonnji  cnviilry  captain,  and  an  alli- 
anre  would  have  been  proi>osed  in  tlie  winter  of  IT.W-Ck),  but  for 
various  adverse  eireunistances  arising  from  tlie  war.  In  liis  absence 
however,  lie  had  a  friend  at  court,  in  the  jierson  of  the  eccentric 
GUnther,  who  atHerwards  became  a  distinguished  oflicer;  from  wliosc 
corre8i)ondence  we  gather  an  amusing  episode  of  the  young  lady. 
It  seems  that  he  did  not  jyarticularly  enjoy  her  favor,  and  gives  vent 
to  his  grief  in  a  letter  to  liiedesel  dated  at  Minden,  the  2d  December, 
as  follows : 

"  *  *  *  Slie  is  truly  worthy  of  the  affection  of  such  a 
deserving  and  distinguished  man  as  yourself  You  must  not  regard 
what  I  write  you  on  this  subject  as  tlattery,  which  I  detest.  But, 
my  friend,  I  nuist  ask  a  favor  of  you.  Frederika  is  very  much  preju- 
diced against  me,  and  treats  me  like  a  coach  horse,  capricious))',  and 
seems  determined  to  discern  oidy  my  bad  (lualities.  You  know  nie, 
however,  and  I  can  at  least  Halter  myself  of  having  this  piece  of  good 
fortune.  I{(?present  my  character  to  her  in  another  and  a  better  light. 
I  should  feel  ver\'  much  grieved  if  a  ladj'  of  so  noble  a  character,  and 
so  many  accomplishments  as  Frederika,  should  have  such  a  bad 
opinion  of  me.     I  know  that  it  is  possible  for  you  to  convince  her  of 

the  purity  of  my  sentiments.     She  has  confessed  to  Madam  11 ^^ 

that  she  loves  vou  most  tenderlv.  I  congratulate  you  from  the  bot- 
torn  of  my  heart,  and  hope  that  an  early  peace  will  aid  you  in 
attaining  to  the  possession  of  so  many  charms.  Now  dear  Hiedesel, 
adieu.  Think  occasionally,  in  the  Intoxication  of  your  joy,  of  poor 
Gunther,  who,  shut  otf  from  all  human  intercourse,  has  no  other 
pleasure,  at  present,  than  of  knowing  of  your  happiness,  and  of  re- 
maining to  the  last  moment  of  his  life. 

Yours  truly  and  sincerely, 

GUNTIIEK." 

His  colonel,  .Teannert,  Avho  also  frequently  visited  the  3Iassow 
family,  and  knew  the  state  of  affairs  between  the  parties,  often  in  his 
dry  manner,  expatiated  at  length  upon  the  beauty  and  loveliness  of 
the  jiingfruu,  aiul  prophesied  an  early  peace.  This  friendship  and 
interest  often  found  expression  in  his  official  h-tters  upon  patrols  and 
foraging,  and  was  mingled  in  them  with  denunciations  of  his  hard 
life  and  miserable  cpiarters. 

Toward  the  end  of  the  j'car  1762,  Riedesel  ventured  to  follow  the 
dictates  of  his  heart,  and  inform  the  duke  of  the  state  of  his  feelings  in 
respect  to  Miss  Massow,  at  the  same  time  asking,  with  all  due  form,  his 
permission  to  the  union.    The  duke,  who  had  known  for  a  long  time 


-V/fN.  UK\KI!M.  Ulh:i>Ksh:i.. 


15 


'<    (l 


how  miiUers  stood,  chccrfiilly  consented,  and  eongratidiited  him  most 
graciouslj'.  Neither  liiedesel's  parents  nor  those  of  ]Miss  Massow  had 
as  yet  given  their  formal  consent  to  this  union.  The  duke,  there- 
fore, after  the  custom  of  those  days,  offered  to  act  as  negotiator,  and 
retiuest  their  i)erniission  to  tlie  mateii.  lie  accordingly  wrote  first 
to  his  brother,  the  reigning  duke,  and  having  obtained  his  approba- 
tion, applied  on  the  12th  of  December  to  the  i)arents  of  the  lovers, 
fortheir  consent.  This  obtained,  he  did  not  rest  salistied  until  he  had 
himself  arranged  the  nuptials  at  his  head-ipiarters.  Thus  it  was  tluit 
the  last  days  of  th<;  year  were  to  be  spi-nt,  at\cr  so  many  privations 
and  dangers,  in  a  joj'ful  and  happy  union. 

The  21st  of  December  was  appointed  for  the  marriage.  There 
were  bu.sy  times  in  the  little  handet  of  Newhaus.  Adjutants  and 
artillery  ollicers  galloped  up  and  down  the  streets,  and  all  was  ani- 
mation. Numbers  of  carriages  containing  richly  dressed  ladies  were 
out,  and  the  whole  town  gave  indications  of  a  gala  day.  As  may 
naturally  be  supposed,  there  was  no  lack  of  parade,  gifts  and  poems. 
The  Duke  Ferdinand,  the  heir  to  the  tiirone.  Prince  Friederich, 
General  llomboldt,  Adjutant  lieden,  Private  Secretary  AVestphal, 
Colonels  Schielfen,  Oynhausen  and  Veltheim,  and  others,  had  their 
portraits  painted  in  oil  in  full  size,  which  they  presented  to  the  bride- 
groom in  conunemoration  of  the  day.*  Four  of  the  most  beautiful 
ladies  had  their  i)ictures  taken,  representing  the  four  seasons  —  the 
bride  impersonating  spring. 

JIadamc  Hiedesel,  af\er  the  nuptials,  remained  with  her  family, 
while  her  husband  marched  w'ith  his  regiment  into  the  duchy  of 
Brunswick,  and  went  into  garrison  at  WolfenbUttel,  where  \w.  pui- 
cliased  a  house.  The  close  of  the  seven  years'  war  soon  at\er, 
gave  opportunity  for  a  few  years  of  respite  from  hostile  strife,  until 
the  revolution  in  America  disturlu'd  the  domestic  relations  of  the 
baroness.  The  following  pages  describe  the  adventures  that  l)efell  her 
during  the  period  in  which  she  followed  the  fortunes  of  her  husband 
and  countrymen  in  America,  and  form  one  of  tiic  most  interesting 
books  tiiat  have  api)eare(l  in  connection  with  that  memorable  con- 
test. On  her  return  to  Germany,  in  1788,  she  enjoyed  a  respite  of 
four  years  from  the  alarms  of  war,  when  lier  husband  was  advanced 
to  the  rank  of  lieutenant-general,  and  was  sent  into  Holland  to 
support  the  cause  of  the  stadtholder;   atler  which  he  returned  to 


*  The  portraits  of  these  offlccrH,  which  liung  in  the  micestral  castle  at  Laiiter- 
bach,  were  destroyed  in  tliegcuerol  pilUife'e  of  the  place  in  1«-18. 


rnrrr 


ifi 


PERSONAL  SKBTCir. 


Lauterbiicli.    In  1704  lie  was  •aiipointod  coinmandant  of  the  city  of 
Brunswick,  and  died  tlicrc  in  1800. 

^ludanic  Hicdcsd  survived  licr  husband  ciglil  years,  and  died  at. 
Berlin,  39th  iMardi,  1808,  at  tlie  age  of  02.  "She  rests  l)y  the  side  of 
lier  beloved  consort  in  the  family  vault  at  Lauterbach.  Of  her  nine 
children  three  were  living  in  185(5,  namely:  Caroline,  unmarried; 
America,  widow  of  Count  Bernsdorf;  and  Charlotte,  the  wife  of 
Major  Von  SchOning,  in  the  .service  of  the  king  of  Saxony,  llcr  only 
son,  George,  died  4th  August,  1854,  at  Buchwald  in  Silesia.  Frede- 
rika,  the  second  daughter  of  Madame  Riedesel,  who  accompanied 
her  in  all  her  wanderings  in  America,  became  one  of  the  most  dis- 
tinguished women  of  her  day.  She  married  the  Count  Hcden  (who 
died  in  1854),  and  resided  at  Buchwald,  which  was  the  resort  of  all 
the  celcl)rated  men  of  the  age.  It  was  a  favorite  retreat  of  Hum- 
boldt, and  also  of  Baron  Stein.  jMadame  Iteden,  accordingly,  was 
on  warm  terms  of  friendsldp  with  the  pronuncnt  men  of  the  time ; 
and,  after  her  death,  the  king  of  Prussia,  Friederich  "William,  witli 
whom  she  was  intimate,  caused  a  beautiful  monument  to  be  erected 
to  her  memory,  with  an  a]ipropriate  inscription.  She  left  but  one 
daughter,  who  was  married  to  Baron  von  Rotenhan,  at  Reutweins- 
dorf,  in  Bavaria,  with  whom  this  branch  of  the  fixmily  of  Riedesel 
dies  out. 


L  E  T  T  E  R  S . 


JPVom  General  Riedesel  to  his  Wife. 

Lkifeut,  Feb.  22d,  1776. 

|E  AREST  WIFE  :  Never  have  I  suffered  more  than 
upon  my  departure  this  morning.  My  heart  was 
broken ;  and  could  I  have  gone  back  wlio  knows 
what  I  might  have  done.  But,  my  darling,  God 
has  placed  me  in  my  present  calling,  and  I  must  follow  it.  Duty 
and  honor  force  me  to  this  decision,  and  we  must  be  comforted 
by  this  reflection  and  not  murmur.  Indeed,  my  chief  solicitude 
arises  from  the  state  of  your  own  health,  in  view  of  your  ap- 
proaching confinement.  The  care  of  our  dear  daughters,  also, 
gives  me  anxiety.  Guard  most  preciously  the  dear  ones.  I 
love  them  most  fondly. 

I  am  thus  far  on  my  journey  without  accident  and  in  good 
health,  although  very  tired  in  con.sequence  of  my  anxiety  of 
mind  the  past  few  days.     I  am  hoping,  however,  ibr  a  refresh- 
ing sleep,  and  trust  that  you  may  be  blessed  in  a  similar  manner. 
I  have  this  evening  been  raised  to  the  rank  of  major-general.* 


♦The  confidence  which  was  roposed  in  Uicdesel  is  sliown  in  tlie  following  letter 
to  him  from  his  duke,  written  just  previous  to  his  receiving  his  promotion.  It 
would  seem,  also,  from  the  letter  itself,  that  Kiedesel  had  expressed  to  the  writer 
his  solicitude  at  leaving  his  wife  and  family. 

BucNswicK,  Feb.  Uth,  1TT6. 
My  Dearest  Colonel  Riedesel :  I  hnve  received  your  report  of  this  day,  wherein 
you  mention  to  me  that  every  thing  is  arranged  for  to-morrow's  march.    Thank- 
fully acknowledging  your  faithful  services  and  cordial  sentiments  toward  me,  I  do 
not  doubt,  in  the  least,  that  you  will  acquit  yourself  to  my  perfect  satisfaction  with 


18 


hKTTKItS  AM)  ./or/t.\A/.S 


Therefore,  my  own  Mrs.  (letieriil,  take  g(»od  care  of  your  health, 
in  order  tliat  you  may  follow  me  as  (juickly  as  possible  after 
your  happy  delivery. 

GiFIK.RN,  F<h.  23r/,  1770. 

I  have  just  arrived  at  Gifhorn,  fortunately  without  accident, 
and,  God  be  prai-ied,  Mithout  any  desertion.  J  niijjht  have 
slept  well  last  ni<iht  had  not  my  spirit  been  constantly  with 
you  aud  my  dear  children.  Ah  !  dear  wife,  you  did  not 
notice  —  and  I  am  <j,lad  you  did  not  —  how  much  1  have  .suft'ered 
the  last  four  weeks,  and  what  it  has  cost  me  to  conceal  from 
you  my  distress.  My  mind  has  not  suffered  .so  much  from  work 
(for  to  that  T  am  habituated)  as  it  ha.''  from  melancholy  and 
anxiety.  Now,  however,  it  is  over  with.  God  has  so  ordered 
it;  let  his  will  be  done. 

I  do  not  doubt  that  you  will  be  able  to  follow  me  as  soon  as 
yiiiir  confinement  is  safely  over.  Nurse  carefully  your  own 
health,  and  do  not  venture  too  much  with  the  young  children. 
I  think  that  the  eldest  and  Frederica,  also,  will  stand  the 
journey  well.  IJut  you  nnist  be  careful,  and  not  too  greatly 
expose  the  youngest  —  Avhether  it  be  a  boy  or  a  girl  —  nor 
injure  it  by  excessive  tenderness.  It  is  better  to  bo  separated 
from  a  dearly  loved  child,  for  a  little  while,  than  to  reproach 
yourself  witii  its  premature  death. 

Secondly;  you  must  not  set  out  on  your  journey  until  you 
have  received  my  first  letters  from  America,  from  which  you 
will  learn  where  1  am  myself.     Thirdly,  and  lastly,  you  must 


the  command  entrusted  to  you.    Yon  may  rest  assured  that  if,  in  an  uniioped  for 

case,  it  elionld  please  Heaven  to  take  away  your  life,  your  wile  and  children  shall 

be  cared  for  as  nmch  as  possible.    But  I  liope  and  wish,  that  you  may  come  back  iu 

God's  own  time,  safe  and  well,  even  if  you  should  not  meet  ine  ajrain  on  earth. 

In  the  mean  time,  I  hope  to  see  you  to-morrow,  to  wish  you  in  person,  all  possible 

luck ;  and  I  remain. 

Your  affectioDato 

^  Carl, 

Duke  of  Brunswick  and  Luneburg, 
To  Colonel  Van  Kiedesel. 


'      ^ 


OF  Sins.  (iKSKIt.lh   ItlHOKsKh. 


19 


obtain  good  letters  of  introduction  to  people  in  Knj;land,  in 
order  that  your  temporary  wojoiirii  in  that  country  nuiy  be 
agreeable.  Ikcnienilier,  al.so,  to  travel  by  short  stages,  and  do 
not  expose  the  children  too  much  to  the  air. 


'   4 


PI 


HAlTKKNHiiTTEL,  Feb.  2bth,  1770. 

I  received,  dear  wife,  your  first  letter  early  this  morning ; 
and  I  thank  God  that  you  are  well,  and  disposed  to  ac(juicsce 
in  that  which  my  duty  and  God's  will  have  imposed  upon  me. 
Pray  to  our  Heavenly  Father  that  you  may  continue  in  this 
frame  of  mind,  and  he  will  assuredly  give  you  the  needful 
strength  to  overcome  all  rebellious  i'celings.  I  continue,  thanks 
to  a  kind  Providence,  in  good  health,  but,  of  necessity,  am  yet 
deprived  of  sleep,  and  my  heart  is  still  heavy.  The  presence 
of  yourself  and  the  dear  children  are  wanting  to  my  happiness. 
What  says  my  little  (Justava?  And  how  is  the  cunning  elf 
Frcderica  ?  Remember  me  to  Madame  Paaseli  and  her  daugh- 
ter, and  say  to  the  latter  that  she  must  write  me  a  letter  (which 
you  arc  not  to  read)  about  your  health  and  state  of  mind. 

Kiss  our  sweet  little  Gustava  and  Frederica  for  me,  and  rest 
assured  that  I  am  ever,  &c. 


Amelinohausen,  Feb.  'l[)th,  1770. 

1  will,  in  a  few  words,  give  you  my  diary.  You  know  that 
on  the  22d  I  was  at  Leifert,  downhearted,  thoughtful,  and 
wearied,  not  liaving  yet  been  able  to  obtain  sleep. 

On  the  23d,  I  spent  a  disagreeable,  cold  day  at  G  if  horn, 
where,  by  the  by,  I  dined  with  (Jeneral  Bremer. 

On  the  24:tli  we  were  at  Haukenbiittel,  where  we  had  a  day's 
rest. 

The  25th  and  20th  were  spent  at  ^'^ricst'adt.  I  reviewed  my 
regiment  of  dragoons,  which  lay  encamped  at  the  country-seat 
of  a  Mr.  de  Grote. 


i^a 


20 


Lhri'TKUS  .WD  .101  l!.\ALS 


Oil  the  27th  i  arrived  at  Khsdort';  luid  on  tlie  28th  roiichod 
AiucliiighaiiMcn.  At  thiw  place  I  inspected  my  infantry  rojji- 
nient,  and  retnrned  to  my  (juarters  in  this  village  at  eleven 
o'clock  last  evening. 

Yesterday,  my  regiment  of  dragoons  overtook  me,  and  I  shall 
retain  it  by  me  nntil  we  come  to  Htade,  which  we  shall  reach 
by  the  fifth  of  March.  To-day  I  .■^hall  again  have  u  large  dinner 
company.  We  generally  have  twelve  persons  at  table.  On 
our  marching-days  we  have  five,  and  on  onr  resting-days  six 
dishes.     Our  kitchen  expenses  average  half  a  louis  d'or  a  day. 

With  this  letter  \  send  another  to  little  (iustava  and  Frede- 
riea,  whom  I  embrace  tenderly,  and  with  heart  and  soul  um 
ever  entirely  thine. 


iStade,  March  M,  1770. 

I  write  you  this,  it  is  true,  in  great  weariness,  but  with  a 
joyful  heart  at  the  successful  embarkation  of  the  dragoon  and 
grenadier  regiments.  At  seven  o'clock  we  began  to  put  the 
men  on  board,  and  in  loss  than  three  hours  not  a  single  man 
remained  in  the  city  —  all  were  upon  the  Elbe,  an  hour  and  a 
half's  journey  hence.  The  departure  of  the  boats  was  one  of 
the  most  beautiful  spectacles  that  can  be  imagined.  All  was 
contentment  and  happiness,  and  the  citizens  could  not  suffi- 
ciently praise  the  good  order  in  which  the  embarkation  wiis 
effected,  and  the  admirable  management  of  the  troops  during 
their  sojourn  in  the  city.  Q'o-morrow,  Prince  Frederick's 
regiment  and  mine  will  arrive,  but  I  do  not  yet  know  when 
they  will  endjark,  since  half  of  our  ships  are  still  missing; 
neither  does  any  one  know  when  they  will  make  their  appear- 
ance, as  their  crews  were  not  ready  at  the  time  that  those  which 
are  here,  sailed  from  England. 

I  think,  also,  that  T  shall  remain  here  at  least  eight  days 
longer.  I  shall  have,  however,  on  board  my  ship  a  good  offi- 
cer —  Captain  Foy,  whom  you  will  doubtless  remember  to  have 


oh'  MIts.  liKSKIlM.   /I/ KOKs /■:/.. 


21 


MOiiii  at  .Mimloii.  II(!  was  ronnorly  ""  Dtticor  in  the  l'lnj;lisli 
artillery,  and  Ih  a  vory  hiv^o.  man.  Tliis  Foy  lias  an  Anioriean 
wit'f  who  is  at  jircsciit  in  I'iiiiiiand.  lie  is  desirons  to  liave  his 
wife  Join  hint  in  Anieriea  as  soon  as  it  is  more  (|niet,  and  he 
would  bo  very  ninch  pleased  if  she  conld  aeconi])any  you  thither, 
but  not  until  ho  and  I  know  where  wc  are  to  be  stationed. 

This  Foy  will  remain  with  mo  until  wo  reach  America  in 
Kd/rh/ ;  for  ho  tells  mo  that  our  voyajio  across  will  be  but  a 
mere  trifle.  The  .nhip  in  which  1  shall  sail  from  here  is  the 
Pallas  —  a  very  {^ood  ship,  but  having;  a  somewhat  small  state- 
room for  the  seven  whom  I  am  compelled  to  have  with  mo. 
Foy  ass\ires  nie,  however,  that  I  shall  sail  from  Portsmouth  on 
board  a  man-ol'-war  of  lar};o  burden.  I  have  to-day  examined 
all  the  ships  fit  for  service  that  are  in  this  port. 

But  enoufrh  of  myself,  dearest  wife.  Now  let  me  say  a  word 
to  you  in  whose  welfare  I  am  more  interested  tluin  in  my  own. 
J  hope  that  you  are  now  entirely  recovered  from  your  contine- 
ment,  and  toward  April  will  be  ready  to  march !  * 


h  ■  i 


Stai>k,  MiitIi  iHth,  177(1. 

J)oar  Wife:  Here  am  1  upon  the  point  of  embarking,  having 
entire  trust  in  the  mercy  of  that  God  who  lias  lovingly  guided 
my  steps  up  to  the  present  time.  Do  not  lot  this  news  give 
you  uneasiness,  for,  believe  me,  one  can  have  a  right  good  time 
t)n  board  a  ship.  I  have  very  good  company ;  and  when  I 
arrive  oft"  the  Fnglish  coast,  and  have  been  transferred  to  a 
mau-of-war,  my  situation  will  be  still  more  pleasant. 

It  is  therefore  decided,  that  you  are  to  go  to  Plymouth  as 
soon  as  your  health  and  that  of  our  newly  born  little  daughter 


•Orperlinps  more  literally  "in  nifirchlnntriin."  This  playful  and  sprinrlitly  allu- 
sion to  his  own  profession  is  entirely  lost  in  the  trnnslation  of  1827,  where  the  passage 
is  tamely  rendered,  "  I  hope  yon  will  be  ready  for  the  voya;;o."  This,  however,  is 
only  one  out  of  innumerable  instances  in  wliieh  tlint  translation,  as  stated  in  the 
preface,  siijuuliy  fails  to  convey  the  Kpiril  of  the  original. 


22 


i.hrrt-iis  .[\/i  .ittiusM.s 


Ciiriiliiu',  will  pormit  ;  iiik'.  tliat  yi>ii  will  then)  await  llu' iicwm 
(if  my  arrival  in  Aiii*>rica.  Ko  not  ini|iatit'nt.  (mkI  loves  un 
too  well  not  to  lirin^'  us  to;:<>tiu>r  a^iiin  as  soon  as  iiractii-alilo. 

iMy  brotlicr  will  dint'  with  \\w  to  inorrnw,  and  tliun  all  will 
be  over.  1  look  forward  to  it  with  dt'cj)  niflanclioly.  Knibraco 
our  children,  yes,  our  dear  ehildren  lor  mo.  The  sliiji  awaits 
ine.  liove  me  always.  Take  care  of  your  |ireeious  health  tor 
my  sake,  and  be  assured  that  1  urn  over  wholly  thine. 


On  Uoaui)  tiik  I'ai-i-as,  Murvh  'l\»t,  177(5. 

Here  we  are  still  (juietly  lyin;;  before  Stade,  in  conse((uenco 
of  contrary  winds ;  we  must  therefore  have  jiatience.  Never- 
theless wo  shall  to-day  noon  proceed  to  l''ryburg,  which  is  not 
far  from  (iliickstadt,  where  we  .shall  wait  for  more  favorable 
winds  to  carry  us  out  to  sea.  and  across  to  Krijiland.  Mean- 
while we  are  (juite  content.  Your  presence  cndy  is  necessary  to 
comiilete  my  hapitincss,  fiu"  I  confess  that  I  have  the  greatest 
longiiiji  to  see  you  onei'  more. 

For  your  amusement,  and  tliat  yon  may  seci  how  wo  pass 
away  our  time,  I,  herewith,  send  my  journal. 

First  then,  we  have  a  state-room  almost  as  large  as  your 
sitting-room.  I'ljon  both  sides  are  two  small  cabins,  in  one  of 
which  is  my  bed,  and  in  the  other  that  of  Captain  Foy.  In  the 
state-room  itself,  on  both  sides,  are  fixed  four  beds,  in  which 
sleep  Captains  Ilenseb,  (ierlach.  and  Cleve,  and  the  captain  of 
the  horse,  Fricke.  The  cashier,  tlio  keeper  of  the  uiilitury- 
chest,  and  the  secretary,  are  in  that  part  of  the  ship  reserved 
for  the  soldiers,  a  private  stateroom  having  been  put  up  espe- 
cially for  them. 

I  rise  about  seven  o'clock  in  the  morning,  after  having  said 
my  prayers  in  bed.  We  dress  ourselves  ((uickly,  and  breakfast 
after  tlie  Knglisli  fashion  upon  tea  and  bread  and  butter.  Then 
I  go  upon  deck  to  smoke  my  pipe.  After  that  I  write  or  read, 
drink  my  coft'ee,  walk  up  and  down  with  both  the  Englishmen, 


iiF  }f//>i.  Hh:\h:itM.   lUKrtKsKI. 


2:1 


aiitl  with  (iiu)  or  twi»  |ii|H's  iiKiri!  |iiiss  away  niv  <'>"i'  until  two 
(I'cliu'k  wlieii  wo  havo  (liinutr.  Wn  linvo  iiino  jKfrmms  at  taldo, 
have  tliriu!  ili.sliuH,  and  cat  nearly  an  iiniii'.  'I'licn  the  talilti 
cldtli  is  taken  (if}',  and  we  spend  nearly  lialt'or  tliree  i|uarlerH  nl' 
an  li(i\ir  drinkin;;  diHbrent  liealtliH  as  follows  :  Kiist,  the  kin;; ; 
•second,  the  duke  ;  tliird,  yours  and  the  cliildrcn  ;  I'oiirth,  Cap- 
lain  l'"oy's  wile;  fifth,  a  ^ood  sea-voyaue  ;  and  sixth,  a  sueeessl'iil 
expedition  in  Anieriea.  At  four  o'cloek,  all  is  finished.  l''our 
bottles  of  wine  are  (uuisiuned  daily,  to^^cther  with  half  a  bottle 
of  arraek  *  for  punch.  Afterwards  I  drink  cort'ee  with  tlu) 
Kn^Iishiii'  The  remaining;  ^(intlenien  providi!  for  thelnselv(^s. 
.\fter  eetli  1  visit  tlu;  other  v(!ssels ;  and  in  the  evening'  play 
a  rubber  of  whist.  At  half-past  tii^bt  cold  meat  is  brought, 
on — also  wine  for  whoever  will  drink,  and  beer  —  and  at  ten 
o'clock  all  of  us  Jill  to  bed,  aiul  in  this  manner  one  day  after 
another  pusses  by. 

Captain  Foy  ^oe.s  from  Dover  to  London  to  report  hiniHelf  to 
the  kin^,  and  will  rejoin  me  at  Portsmouth.  Upon  his  arrival 
there,  I  shall  be  transferred  to  a  man-of-war,  where  every  tiling 
will  be  more  agreeably  arranged  for  my  comfort. 

(ieneral  (iaue  returned  from  America  in  this  ship,  at  which 
time  it  had  ei^ht  .small  state-rooms,  an  ajiartment  for  the  gene- 
ral, and  a  dining  room  ;  all  of  which  will  be  ajj,ain  fitted  up. 
But  of  all  this  you  shall  hear  in  detail  from  me  at  i'ortsmouth, 
as  also  of  the  condition  of  things  in  America,  and  of  the  safest 
and  ((uickest  way  for  us  ugain  to  see  each  other. 


On  Boaui)  tiik  Pai.i.as,  .1Aov7/  23(/,  1770,  on  tlu'  oiien  sea 
at  tlic  Ked  Ton,  wlicrc  the  jiilols  leave  tlie  sliips. 

Hero  we  are  upon  the  open  sea.  The  pilots  arc  about  taking 
their  departure,  and,  through  them  1  write  you  my  last  letter 
from  the  extreme  limits  of  (iermauy.     Fear  nothing;  we  are 


1^ 


*  I.  e.,  spirituous  liquor  dletiUcd  from  rico. 


24 


LETTEHS  A\0  JOCUSALS 


all  very  well,  and  I  hope  wc  shall  make  the  entire  passage- 
across  to  Hpithead  safely,  and,  once  accustomed  to  the  broad 
sea,  reacli  America  in  perfect  health. 

Foy  promises  that  I  shall  be  off  the  heights  of  Spithead  on 
Wednesday  at  the  latest;  and  the  first  thing  of  which  I  shall 
think,  will  be  to  inform  you  of  our  arrival  and  of  the  state  of 
my  health. 


On  Board  tjie  P.\i>i,as,  opposite 
Dover,  Mitrch  -mth,  ITTO. 

I  write  you  the  instant  we  come  in  sight  of  the  English  coast. 
Captain  Foy,  who  goes  to  London,  will  post  this  letter  from 
that  city.  I  mention  to  you  with  satisfaction  that  I  have  not 
been  imwell  a  moment;  still  less  have  I  been  sea-sick;  but,  on 
the  contrary,  have  had  a  good  appetite  and  good  sleep  the  whole 
time.  The  soldiers,  however,  and  also  my  servants,  have  mostly 
all  been  sick  and  yet  remain  so.  The  poor  cook  is  so  bad  that 
he  cannot  do  the  least  work,  indeed,  he  cannot  even  raise  his 
head.  This  is  very  inconvenient,  since  Captain  Foy  and  )ny- 
self  are  obliged  to  attend  to  the  cooking,  which  would  amuse 
you  could  you  see  us. 

T  will  now  give  you  a  brief  account  of  our  voyage.  Thursday, 
we  sailed  from  Stade  to  Fryburg  It  was  a  magnificent  specta- 
cle to  see  the  beautiful  villages  upon  both  banks  of  the  stream. 
Gliickstadt,  a  fine  Danish  fortress,  we  left  upon  our  right.  We 
were  in  fine  .spirits,  ate  and  drank  heartily,  and  played  whist  in 
the  evening. 

Friday,  we  made  sail  for  Uitzebiittel  or  Cashaven,  where  we 
hove  to  at  evening  in  order  to  land  and  see  the  city,  and  play  a 
ruber  of  whist. 

Saturday  we  went  to  sea  with  a  very  gentle  wind.  We,  how- 
ever, hardly  believed  that  we  were  at  sea.  We  were  all  well 
and  eat  with  great  appetite.  From  the  Red  Ton,  where  the 
Hanoverian  pilots  left  us  T  wrote  you  my  last  letter.     In  the 


OF  M/fS.  (iKXK/lAL   /tfKDESKL. 


25 


arternoon,  fisheniicu  from  Helgoland  came  on  board,  and  I 
bought,  for  two  tlialcrs,*  a  large  codfish,  twenty  haddocks,  and 
four  flounders,  which  I  could  not  have  obtained  in  Brunswick 
for  ten  thalors.     Kainy  weather  now  came  on. 

Sunday  morning  we  had  a  heavy  fog,  and  tlie  sea  became 
boisterous.  Two  guns  were  fired  from  our  ship  to  indicate  to 
the  other  vessels  the  route  for  them  to  take.  The  fog  now 
lifted,  the  wind  and  the  waves  rose,  but  still  there  was  no  storm. 
Now  all  were  sick.  The  cook  could  not  cook.  Miiller  could 
not  dress  me.  A^alentine  could  find  nothing.  To  sum  up, 
great  lamentation  and  great  blundering  arose  on  all  sides. 
Hungry,  i  had  nothing  to  eat.  Finally,  Captain  Foy  and  my- 
self cooked  a  pea  soup  in  the  sailor's  kitchen,  and  eat  cold  roast 
beef  which  made  up  our  whole  dinner.  The  soldiers  eat 
nothing. 

Monday  the  weather  was  somewhat  milder,  and  some  of  the 
people  betame  better,  though  most  of  them  remained  sick. 
Captain  Foy  and  I  once  more  cooked  a  portable  bouillon  soup, 
a  cod  with  anchovy  sauce,  a  ragout  from  roast  beef,  and  a  piece 
of  roast  veal  with  potatoes. 

Tuesday  we  had  the  most  beautiful  weather  in  the  world, 
and  a  few  of  the  people  became  again  well.  The  soldiers  cooked 
for  thcv 'selves,  but  the  cook  still  could  do  nothing.  Foy  and 
myself,  therefore,  again  did  the  cooking.  We  had  rice  soup, 
yellow  turnips  witli  beef,  codH.'^h  with  anchovy  sauce,  and  a 
ragout  of  veal.     From  a  dis^tance  one  could  see  land. 

To-day,  '.Vednesday,  we  are  opposite  Dover  Captain  Foy 
goes  from  us  and  takes  this  letter  with  him.  Dearest  angel, 
remember  that  every  one  may  bo  sick  upim  the  water ;  conse- 
((uently,  you  will  have  very  little  help  from  your  servants. 
You  nmb',,  therefore,  choose  the  shortest  route  to  Fngland.  I 
think  the  best  one  will  be  by  way  of  Calais. 


Captain  Foy  says  that  if  Quebec  is  still  ours,  and  there  is 


no 


*  A  tlialer  la  Bcventy-five  cents  of  American  iiiouoy. 

4 


^ 


26 


LETTERS  A.\D  JOVUXALS 


American  army  this  side  of  jMontreal,  not  only  lie,  but  General 
Carleton,  also,  will  have  his  wife  join  him.  You  must  posi- 
tively not  set  out  on  your  journey  before  they  do —  then  you 
can  accompany  them  and  travel  with  more  safety,  as  yon  will 
have  company  and  attendance,  and  want  for  nothing. 


On  Board  the  Pallas,  in  the  harbor  of 
Portsmouth,  March  2m,  1770. 

You  see,  dear  wife,  that  I  let  slip  no  ojiportunity  to  give  you 
news  from  me.  Here  we  are  happily  arrived  in  the  harbor  of 
J'lymouth,  and  I  am  on  the  point  of  going  into  the  city  to  pay 
a  visit  to  Admiral  Douglas  and  the  other  generals  who,  like 
ourselves,  are  here  for  the  purpose  of  embarking  for  America. 
Our  servants  are  again  well,  and  the  cook  has  returned  to  my 
employ  to  the  great  benefit  of  my  stomach.  You  cannot 
imagine  a  more  beautiful  spectacle  than  that  which  we  had 
early  yesterday  morning  at  six  o'clock,  when  we  were  so  near 
to  Calais  that  we  could  distinguish  every  house,  while  at  the 
same  time  and  from  the  same  spot  we  could  see  the  city  of  Dover 
on  the  English  coast.  At  nine  o'clock  Foy  left  us  to  go  to 
London,  and.  during  the  entire  day,  we  sailed  along  the  Eng- 
lish coast,  and  had  every  instant  a  view  of  a  new  town.  People 
in  the  fields  jiloughing.  and  travelers,  all  gazed  curiously  at  our 
little  fleet.  In  this  manner  time  passed  until  evening;  after 
which  I  slept  peacefully,  and  at  five  o'clock  this  morning  saw 
Portsmouth.  By  nine  o'clock  we  had  anchored;  and  are  now 
on  the  point  of  going  ashore. 


-44 


Ox  BoAiiD  THE  Pai,i..\s,  bctwocn  Portsmouth 
luul  Plymoutli,  April  iU/i,  17T(i. 

Our  departure  from  Plymouth  followed  sooner  than  T  ex- 
pected; I'or  the  wind  having  become  propitious  we  immediately 
weighed  anchor,   and  day  before  yesterday  at  eleven  o'clock 


OF  .Vli-1.  GEXEnAf,   lilKOKsEL. 


27 


in  tlie  luorniug,  we  wore  ott" — thirty  sail  strong — amid  the 
salutes  of  all  our  cannon,  and  those  of  the  fleet  that  were  still 
lying  oft'  the  harbor  of  Spithead.  On  the  fifth,  the  wind  became 
unfavorable  and  remained  so  until  this  morning.  Now,  we  go 
with  a  good  wind  straight  to  Plymouth,  where,  it  is  true,  we 
shall  not  stop,  though  I  hope  to  find  some  means  of  sending 
this  letter  into  the  city.  God  be  praised  that  he  has  kept  your 
husband  so  healthy.  Several  officers,  and  among  them,  my 
English  adjutant,  are  already  sick;  but  T  am  still  well,  have  a 
good  appetite,  and  sleep  soundly;  and,  therefore,  hope  to  remain 
in  health  uutil  I  arrive  in  America. 

I  think  this  will  be  the  last  letter  that  you  will  receive  from 
me  until  our  arrival  in  America.  Possibly,  however,  on  the 
way  over,  we  may  meet  with  some  ship  to  whose  care  I  can 
entrust  a  letter,  for  which  opportunity  I  shall  be  constantly  on 
the  watch. 

There  are  still  several  points  upon  which  T  must  give  you 
advice.  Before  you  leave  Brunswick,  you  mast  procure  letters 
of  introduction,  in  order  that  when  in  London,  you  may  procure 
lodgings  in  a  private  house,  and  not  at  a  hotel.  Then  you  will 
be  able  to  make  a  definite  bargain  for  those  days  that  you  may 
remain  there,  for  your  lodging,  breakfast,  dinner  and  tea.  And 
by  doing  in  this  manner,  you  will  find  yourself  much  better 
off"  than  if  you  had  stayed  at  a  public  house  where  every 
thing  is  three  times  as  dear.  For  example  ;  ibv  seven  days' 
lodging  of  myself,  my  two  adjutants  and  our  servants,  one  din- 
ner and  seven  suppers  —  the  dinne-  for  twelve  persons  the 
supper  for  four — I  was  obliged  to  pay  twenty-two  pounds 
sterling,  (n\  in  our  money  one  hundred  and  thirty-two  thalers. 

This  rule  you  will  be  obliged  to  observe  at  all  places  where 
you  intend  remaining  some  days.  Should  you  go  to  Exeter, 
l^lymouth  or  Bristol  (in  which  latter  place  ^[adame  Foy  is), 
you  must  ascertain,  while  in  liondon.  at  what  private  houses 
you  can  obtain  lodgings.  Such  private  houses,  where,  for  a 
definite  sum,  you  may  lodge  and  board,  are  plenty  in  England. 


V*,' 


«^^ 


28 


LEXTKIiS  AXO  JOULXALS 


I  advise  you  farther,  tliat  while  in  London  or  olsewliere,  you 
examine  the  class  of  vessels  upon  which  travelers  usually  take 
passage,  so  that  you  can  arrange  your  plans  in  reference  to  your 
sleeping  arrangements;  for  you  cannot  have  with  you  more 
than  one  child  —  the  other  must  sleep  with  the  nurse,  and  the 
smallest  will  he  obliged  to  lie  in  a  hammock. 

You  must  buy  in  London  bouillon-cake,  with  which,  should 
the  fresli  meat  give  out,  you  aud  the  children  may  have  a  good 
broth. 


On  Board  the  Pallas,  April  24th,  177G. 

Since  the  fourth  instant  —  the  day  of  our  departure  from 
Plymouth  —  we  have  sailed  upon  the  great  ocean,  now  with 
good,  and  now  with  bad  winds;  and  three  times  already  we 
have  had  such  gales  that  we  came  near  having  a  storm.  All 
have  been  sick;  but,  thanks  to  God,  I  hold  out  well,  with  the 
best  of  health. 

We  have  now  traveled  over  five  hundred  and  seven  full  Ger- 
man miles  from  Stade,  and  have  yet  to  make  three  hundred 
miles  before  we  reach  Quebec.  In  five  or  six  days  more,  we 
shall,  I  hope,  see  the  coast  of  Newfoundland,  and  shortly 
after  arrive  in  the  river  8aint  Lawrence  —  when  the  voyage 
will  be  more  agreeable,  and  the  amount  of  sea-sickness  lessened. 

Dearest,  best  wife,  notwithstanding  my  love  for  you  and  my 
burning  desire  to  see  you  again  as  soon  as  possible,  if  I  had  not 
given  you  my  word  that  you  should  follow  me,  or  had  I  known 
the  hardships  of  so  long  a  voyage,  I  would  never  have  advised 
so  lengthy  a  journey  for  you,  especially  with  your  children.  I 
must  confess  that  I  tremble  when  T  think  of  this  great  under- 
taking; but  my  word  is  given,  therefore  I  must  conform  to 
circumstances,  trusting  that  God  will  bestow  his  blessing  upou 
it. 

But  for  God's  sake,  do  not  travel  alone,  and  wait  for  Madame 
Foy,  or  some  other  lady  of  standing  with  whom  you  may  embark 


OF  M/i'S.  UESKHAL  lilKDKSEL. 


2!t 


ill  the  same  whip.  JJiit  it  imist  be  !i  lady  who  has  already  made 
the  voyaue  to  Aiiieriea,  and  consequently  knows  what  prepara- 
tions are  necessary,  and  could  help  and  advise  you  in  case  you 
or  the  childre-  were  sick.  You  must  remcuiber,  dearest  wife, 
that  you,  a  '  our  children,  and  all  your  domestics  may  easily 
become  sick  on  the  way  over,  if  not  constantly,  yet  during 
strong  winds ;  for  upon  my  entire  ship  there  are  not  five  men 
who  have  continued  well ;  and  every  one  declares  that  it  is  a 
regular  wonder  that  I  am  an  exception  to  the  general  rule.  In 
such  a  case,  you  would  lie  in  bed  with  your  children  without 
the  least  help  —  having  nothing  to  eat  or  drink  —  and  having, 
moreover,  not  the  least  heart  to  render  yourself  the  sliglitest 
assistance.  Tlic  crew  of  a  ship,  for  the  most  part,  are  swine, 
loafers,  and  clowns,  who  cook  nothing  but  salted  meat  half 
dressed,  which  is  not  at  all  fit  to  eat.  One  thing  more :  the 
water  will  finally  become  so  bad  and  have  such  a  bad  smell,  that 
you  shall  not  be  able  to  drink  it;  and  you  must,  therefore, 
endeavor  to  take  with  you  a  filtering-stone,  through  which  you 
can  strain  it.  Vou  must,  also,  either  accustom  the  children  to 
drink  beer,  or  boil  the  water,  that  you  intend  to  drink,  the  day 
before. 

My  poor  cook  is  almost  always  sick,  which  gives  me  consi- 
derable trouble.  There  are  many  days  in  which  we  do  not  know 
how  or  what  to  eat.  JJesides,  our  fresh  meat  is  all  eaten  up, 
and  at  present  there  is  only  salt  meat  and  poultry.  We  shall 
soon  begin  to  kill  our  sheep.  The  worst  of  it  is,  however,  that 
through  the  sickness  of  our  cook,  there  is  no  one  to  take  care 
of  the  provisions,  and  consequently  one  portion  of  them  is 
spoiled,  and  the  other  stolen. 

In  fact,  I  must  deceive  you  if  I  should  say  that  our  present 
life  was  agreeable.  The  best  that  can  be  said  is,  that,  thanks 
to  (lod,  I  find  myself  well,  by  reason  of  which  I  am  enabled  to 
bear  with  patience  all  these  annoyances. 


30 


LETTEUS  ASl)  .lOl'ItSALS 


On  Boakd  tiik  Pai.i.ah,  two  Icngues 
tills  siilc  of  QiR'bi'c. 

I  can  give  you  no  great  description  of  our  voyiigo ;  for  what 
can  I  say  of  nine  weeks  spent  between  heaven  and  ocean,  where 
one  day  passed  away  the  same  as  another.  Here  we  are,  after 
much  hardship,  still  two  miles  from  Quebec,  where  wo  shall 
arrive  this  evening,  but  without  tarrying,  Cleneral  Carleton 
having,  before  our  arrival,  driven  the  rebels  from  the  vicinity  of 
Quebec,  and  being  now  engaged  in  their  pursuit.  For  this 
reason  we  shall  continue  our  voyage  up  the  river  to  join 
that  general.  It  is  yet  too  early  to  give  you  any  advice  re- 
specting your  journey.  Captain  Foy  thinks  that  we  must  first 
see  whither  the  expedition  will  lead  us.  T,  therefore,  say 
nothing  further  than  tliis  —  do  not  travel  alone,  or  without  some 
lady  of  standing,  be  it  Mrs.  (jeneral  Carleton,  or  Madame  Foy, 
or  any  other  lady.  I  nuist  close,  as  1  shall  be  obliged  to  send 
this  letter  on  board  the  man-of-war,  where  it  will  be  taken  care 
of  As  soon  as  I  have  joined  Ueneral  Carleton  I  will  write 
you  in  detail  about  every  thing  that  has  happened,  my  own 
health,  and  your  journey. 


Between  Qiebec  and  Montkeal,  June  StJi,  1776. 

Here,  in  a  few  words,  is  every  thing  tluit  has  happened  to  me 
since  our  departure  from  Quebec  on  the  first  of  June.  We 
arrived  off  Quebec  at  six  o'clock  in  the  evening.  1  immediately 
went  on  shore  to  visit  (rcneral  Carleton,  who  welcomed  me  with 
much  courtesy  and  friendliness,  and  invited  me  to  dine  with 
him  on  the  next  day.  In  order  to  form  an  idea  of  his  personal 
appearance,  place  before  you  the  Abbe  Jerusalem;  the  figure, 
countenance,  carriage  and  tone  of  voice,  all  precisely  the  same ; 
and  give  him  a  black  gown  and  a  wig,  no  one  would  be  able  to 
tell  the  difference. 

The  second  of  June,  after  dining  with  General  Carleton,  1 


OF  MIts.  t.KXKIlM   UIEDKSEL, 


31 


S!iw  the  rebel  prisoners.  In  the  evening'  1  paid  a  visit  to  Com- 
modore Doiii^his  who  eoniiniinds  tlic  fleet,  and  who,  upon  my 
departure,  saluted  me  with  thirteen  discharges  of  cannon. 

The  third,  my  birthday,  T  spent  on  board  my  ship.  The 
order  which  I  received  from  General  Carleton  —  to  leave  my 
draj!;oon  and  Prince  Frederick's  regiment  in  garrison  at  Que- 
bec—  did  not  seem  to  me  entirely,  just.  Captain  Foy  was 
appointed  adjutant-general  and  secretary  to  (ieneral  Carleton. 

On  the  fourth,  as  it  was  tlie  birthday  of  the  king  of  Kngland, 
I  waited  with  my  whole  body  of  officers  upon  the  general  to 
oflbr  our  congratulations.  Salutes  were  fired  from  the  fortress 
and  all  the  vessels,  and  afterward  we  had  a  ball. 

The  iifth,  (ieneral  Carleton  bestowed  upon  me  the  command 
of  a  separate  c(jrps.  This  I  did  not  expect,  and  it  has  created 
great  surprise. 

The  sixth,  as  there  was  a  favorable  wind,  I  was  dismissed  by 
General  Carleton,  and  sailed  with  my  allotted  corps.  Here  am 
I,  therefore,  at  the  present  time  of  writing,  upon  Lake  Cham- 
plain  J  but  rest  perfectly  easy  so  far  as  regards  the  enemy. 
They  have  wholly  disappeared;  and  we  have  not  seen  a  single 
soul  of  them  this  side  of  liake  Champlain. 

Dear  soul,  no  place  would  be  more  comfortable  for  you  than 
Quebec.  You  can,  however,  go  conveniently  to  Montreal,  and 
there  await  news  from  me,  in  lu'der  that  you  nuiy  know  in 
which  direction  to  follow  us.  In  Montreal  there  is  a  very  well 
managed  post,  so  that  you  can  very  easily  go  upon  land  from 
one  place  to  another;  and  I  will  make  such  arrangements  that 
you  shall  find  every  thing  comfortable  for  you  on  your  arrival 
in  that  city.  The  land  in  this  country  will  please  you  much  : 
all  of  it  that  meets  the  eye  is  beautiful. 


li.v  Pit.MHiK,  .Jnnv  •l^th,  1T7G. 
I  have  recently  given  you  a  detailed  account  of  our  arrival 
at  Quebec.     From  there  we  went  to  Three  llivers,  where  I,  as 


32 


LETTKlis  AST)  .loVIiS.Ms 


well  as  all  the  f^eneralH,  arrived  to(i  late  for  the  affair  whieh 
happened  in  that  place.  Thence  we  advanced  iarthcr  with 
the  ships,  and  landed  at  Verjiere.  Our  march  thus  i'ar  has 
been  tiresome,  but  now  we  have  rest.*  My  entire  c((uipago 
has  arrived,  and  we  live  well,  but  dearly.  Our  table  usually 
consists  of  I'rom  ten  to  twelve  per,«ons,  with  six  dishes ;  but  I  am 
not  able  to  maintain  such  an  establishment  for  less  than  two 
guineas  a  day.  A  bottle  of  wine  costs  a  thaler  of  our  money. 
T  am  here  alone  with  all  the  German  troops.  It  seems  that 
(Jeneral  Carleton  wi.shes  me  well.  He  marks  me  <mt  for  parti- 
ctdar  lavor;  and  if  things  go  on  in  this  way  1  .shall  have  reason 
to  bo  well  contented.  .1  hope  this  business  will  not  last  long. 
We  have  already  cou(|uered  the  whole  of  Canada,  and  shall,  as 
soon  as  the  boats  are  in  readiness,  force  our  way  into-  New  Kng- 
land  by  way  of  Lake  Champlain,  where  are  all  the  rebels,  and 
also  (leneral  Howe,  who,  it  is  said,  has  already  obtained  some 
advantages  over  them.  When  you  are  once  here,  1  will  try  and 
manage  to  take  you  comfortably  back  in  my  ship,  where  you  will 
fare  better,  as  I  am  now  somewhat  accustomed  to  a  sea  voyage,  and 
for  that  reason  know  how  to  remedy  many  evils  that  arc  in- 
se])arably  connected  with  a  ship. 

In  case  you  undertake  the  journey,  you  will  find  in  Quebec, 
Jjieutenant-Colonel  liaum  with  the  dragoons,  who  has  already 
taken  pains  to  procure  good  (juarters  for  you.  You  will  then 
write  me  at  once,  and  rest  for  a  few  days  at  Quebec.  Then 
proceed  to  Three  Rivers,  where  you  will  find  comfortable  quar- 


*Not  only  wnathe  march  very  fnti^^uinj;,  but.  n»  the  hont  of  the  sun  increased, 
ninny  of  the  German  troopf",  iimlcr  l{ietiot<elV  command,  loll  sick;  ho  that  liy  tlie 
middle  of  July,  upward  of  three  lumdred  of  the  Hrunswickers  were  lyini;  ill  either 
in  the  military  hoHpilal  oral  private  liouHes.  ^Most  of  them  nullered  from  a  violent 
dinrrlien  accompanied  l)y  fever,  hrou^'ht  on  by  the  sudden  cbani^e«  of  temperature 
of  the  climate  —  warm  days'  and  cold  nights  —  to  whidi  they  were  wholly  unaccus- 
tomed. General  Kicdesel  greatly  endeared  himself  to  his  men  at  tiiis  juncture,  by 
taking  the  utmost  care  of  all  of  them,  l)ul  especially  the  sick.  He,  also,  made 
etrenuons  ert'orfs  to  procure  for  them  \vlu)le9ome  food ;  and  as  supplies  were  not 
easily  obtained,  he  caused  the  inhabitants  to  open  a  nuirket  twice  a  week  at  La 
Prairie,  where  fresh  provisions  could  be  had  witlisome  regularity. 


OF  MRS.  aHSh:itM.   IllEDESRL. 


33 


tors  in  the  lumso  in  which  General  Oarlotoii  at  one  time  resided. 
This  town  is  thirty  leagues  from  Quebec,  and  when  there,  you 
are  thirty  leagues  from  Montreal,  where  you  will  either  see  me 
myself  or  find  farther  instructions  from  me.  You  will  find 
the  country  here  magnificent,  only  it  is  u  pity  that  the  colonics 
are  still  in  their  infancy,  since  one  can  very  seldom  find  vege- 
tables, fruits,  and  such  things  as  belong  to  a  good  table.  Meat, 
fowls  and  milk,  however,  one  can  have  in  abundance.  The 
houses  are  all  only  one  story  high,  but  within,  have  four 
rooms  and  are  very  cleanly.  An  ordinary  peasant's  house 
will  afford  our  entire  family  accommodations.  The  inhabitants 
are  exceedingly  courteous  and  obliging,  and  [  do  not  believe 
that  our  peasants,  under  similar  circumstances,  would  conduct 
tiiemselves  as  satisfactorily.  I  liavo  no  news  to  tell  you.  We 
are  here  very  quiet.  General  Carleton,  with  part  of  the  army, 
is  at  Chambly;  (ieneral  Frazer  is  at  St.  John;  and  1  au)  here, 
and  travel  through  the  country  to  make  JLyself  acquainted  with 
the  lay  of  the  land.  1  eat  my  dinner  every  day  at  three  o'clock  ; 
generally  go  to  bed  rather  tired ;  and  at  three  or  four  o'clock 
in  the  morning  am  again  upon  the  highway.  Fully  four  weeks 
will  elapse  before  we  pass  through  Lake  Champlaiu. 


/ 


:..:i 


La  Savanne,  Sept.  I2th,  177(>. 

The  army  is  encamped  for  the  purpose  oi'  remaining  nearer 
together.  I  am  posted  very  advantageously  at  a  place  called 
Savanne,  where  I  command  a  separate  corps.  I  have  there- 
fore plenty  of  exercise,  which  I  find  very  conducive  to  my 
health.  The  nights  are  beginning  to  be  a  little  cold,  and  we 
already  think  and  .speak  of  wiiitor-([uarters,  into  which  [  think 
we  shall  withdraw  in  the  month  of  October.  What  comfort 
would  it  be  I'or  me,  if  I  could  tlien  (juietly  enjoy  the  society  of 
yourself  and  my  children.  Truly  that  would  be  worth  more  to 
me  than  all  else.  But  where  may  you  now  be !  Perhaps  on 
the  broad  sea;  perhaps  in  great  peril.  During  how  many 
5 


UK. 


34 


I.ETTKIiS  AM)  ./or /{.VMS 


nights  is  my  iiiirul  filled  with  sucli  caros  lor  your  welfare  I  I 
hope  that  (lod  will  .xooii  eiul  my  anguish,  ami  <,'raiit  me  the  joy 
of  weeing  you  in  my  arms.  The  fourth  of  this  month,  after 
exereisinij:  my  trcops,  I  j^avc  to  (Icneral  Carleton  and  the  prin- 
cipal officers  of  the  army  a  f^reat  dinner  of  thirty-six  covers 
and  twenty-six  plates  served  twice.  All  seemed  pleased.  I 
did  it  in  honor  ol'  my  lord  and  his  troojis  ;  and  the  effect  of  it 
has  been  p;ood,  for  I  have  made  I'riends  of  every  one,  and  stand 
well  with  all  the  officers  and  men. 


In  Cami'  at  La  Savanne,  ^Sipf.  2S(1, 1770. 
At  last,  dear  wife,  I  have  received  your  letters  of  the  9th, 
20th,  and  30th  of  April,  and  12th  of  3! ay.  All  these  letters 
have  uiven  me  great  comfort,  and  I  have  thanked  tiod  from 
the  bottom  of  my  heart,  that  you  and  the  children  are  so  well. 
I  as  heartily  embrace  you  ami  the  children.  Jt  has  also  given 
me  pleasure  to  liave  this  news  confirmed  by  a  gentleman  just 
from  England;  and  I  thank  Providence  who  has  so  blessed 
your  journey.  I  know,  dear  wife,  that  you  arrived  in  London 
safely  on  the  12th  ;  that  about  the  18th,  you  had  gone  to  Bris- 
tol ;  and  that  you  and  the  children  found  yourselves  well. 
O'Connel,  whom  Colonel  Specht  sent  to  London,  him.self  spoke 
with  the  landlord  of  the  hotel  where  you  lodged,  and  you  had 
set  out  for  Bristol  only  three  h(nirs  before  his  arrival.  1  do 
not  direct  this  letter  to  England,  but  entrust  it  to  the  first  ship 
that  goes  from  here,  in  order  that  its  captain,  in  case  he  falls 
in  with  you  on  his  way  over,  may  give  it  to  you,  and  quiet  and 
rejoice  your  heart  with  tlie  news  of  my  perfect  health.  You 
will  find  at  Mrs.  Murray's  all  needful  information  for  your 
farther  guidance.  I  shall  have  my  winter-quarters  at  Three 
Kivcrs.  where  you  may  quietly  await  my  return. 


OF  MRS.  OKXKIiAn  nrKDRSEl. 


3S 


Chown  Point,  on  Board  tlie  WiiMliiiiglon,  ii  prizf 
taki'ii  from  lliti  rclids,  (kt.  ',»(i,  ITT(t. 

Wo  liavc  destroyed  tlio  fleet  of  tlie  rebels,  and  taken  jjosses- 
sion  of  Crown  I'oint.  We  shall  now  yo  into  winter-(|narters.  * 
Our  c'iinipai^'n  is  at  an  end;  and  I  shall  }^o  hack  to  Three 
Rivers,  where  I  am  to  be  stationed  this  winter,  and  await  you 
with  the  greatest  inipatieneo.  (Hi  how  hapity  i  should  be  if 
you  eaiue  this  winter  and  I  could  enjoy  your  j)leasaut  society  ! 
The  wiuter-(juarters  will  be  very  (juiet.  and  I  should  be  able  to 
live  entirely  for  you.  (ieneral  Carleton,  like  a  hero,  has  routed 
the  enemy's  fleet,  having  left  behind  him  his  whole  army.  Ilo 
has  very  properly  spared  those  that  are  married ;  and  if  this  war 
is  carried  on  in  a  similar  manner  next  year,  I  shall  be  surer  of  my 
life  in  the  midst  of  it,  than  upon  the  parade  grounds  of  Wiilf- 
enbiittel  and  Brunswick.  If  you  are  at  sea.  (Jencral  JJurgoyne, 
who  is  the  bearer  of  this  letter,  will  do  his  utmost  to  have  it 
delivered  to  you  upon  the  ocean ;  but  if  you  arc  still  in  Eng- 
land he  will  take  pains  to  procure  you  a  good  ship  next  spring, 
and  in  this  case  it  is  only  necessary  for  you  to  apply  to  him  by 
letter.     1  am  here  for  six  days  as  a  volunteer.     We  have  been 


♦The  wiiiliT-iiiiiirli'rrt  of  the  (JiTinaiis  woro  in  nnd  around  Three  Kivcr'!'.  as  far 
down  as  Clianilily,  on  the  western  side  of  Lake  St.  I'ierre.  and  helwei'ii  the  SI. 
Lawreneeand  the  Kiehelien.  The  more  speeial  divisions  were  as  follows;  The 
rt\'.'inient  of  Speeht  as  far  down  as  Champlain.  near  Three  Hivers.  and  the  place 
called  llatiseanip:  the  reLtinieiit  of  Hlielz  from  tin-  last  named  place  to  Kort  St. 
Anna.  These  rei,'inients  sent  olV  delaeliments  to  the  i)arishes  south  of  the  St. 
Lawrence.  The  dnifioons  and  reiiiineiits  of  Kiedesel  were  <|nartered  in  Three 
Rivern.  Two  squadrons  of  the  former,  and  three  companies  of  the  latter,  had  the 
town  assiffiied  to  them.  The  two  otlier  stpiadrons  were  transferred  to  Cape-de-ln- 
Madelaini.,  the  two  other  companies  to  I'oint-dii-l.ae.  The  reitiments  were  also 
oblijfed  to  fend  detachments  to  the  iu>arest  jiarlshes  <ni  the  other  side  of  the  St. 
Lawrence.  The  reiriment  of  Ilesse-llanan  was  removed  to  the  jiarishes  of  Herthier 
and  Mascniinoiiije.  It,  also,  sent  out  detachments  to  occupy  SI,  Krancois  and 
Sorel.  Tlie  rcL'iment  of  I'rince  Kroderick  occupied  the  i)aiisln's  of  Hiviere-du-Loup, 
and  ^lachiche.  The  irrenadier  Imltallion  was  (|uartcred  in  St,  Charles,  SI,  Denis, 
and  St.  Tours.  Harners  liijlit  intanti  y  were  sent  to  Ituloville  aiul  t'hamhly,  where 
it  was  joined  by  the  company  of  sharp-shooters,  Tlie  artillery  of  Ilanan  was  (piar- 
tered  in  Montreal, 


'M 


LtrriKUs  A.\U  Joi'llSALS 


ill  cloHO  proximity  ti>  tlic  ciiiiip  of  the  robolH  at  Fort  Ciirillon, 
iiiid  have  taivou  tsuiiio  jtriMoiiurri. 


TllKKK  RiVKHM,  Nov.  10, 1Y7(5. 

T  have  little  more  hope  of  seeiiij;  you  here  this  winter  ;  there- 
tore,  I  write  you  this  letter  in  order  that  if  you  still  reiiiaiii  in 
Kii;^laiid,  you  may  not  ho  without  news  from  me. 

T  find  myself,  thanks  to  (iod,  well,  but  in  great  anxiety  about 
your  welfare,  as  I  know  not  where  you  are.  Yet  I  shall  not 
murmur,  if  you  do  not  come,  althouj^h  I  should  have  taken 
mueh  comfort  in  seeinj;  you  here,  (iod,  who  governs  all  things 
according  to  his  wise  will,  has,  perhaps,  saved  you  from  any 
misfortune.  The  uncertainty  as  to  your  whereabouts  at  this 
late  season  of  the  year,  gives  me  the  most  anxiety.  I  must 
now  bring  this  to  a  close,  as  the  post  is  about  starting  for  Que- 
bec, and  commend  you  to  the  guidance  and  protection  of  a 
kind  Providence.  I  embrace  you  and  our  dear  children,  and 
coax  myself  into  the  belief  that  you  will  certainly  come  next 
spring. 


LeUers  from  Mrs.  General  Riedcsel  to  her  Mother. 

WoLFKNRiiTTEli,  March  S,  1776. 
Dearest,  best  Mother :  Your  last  leHer  has  made  me  almost 
beside  myself.  Some  passages  in  i'  would  seem  to  indicate 
that  you  do  not  feel  kindly  toward  me,  and  others  again  show 
so  much  anxiety  and  love,  that  it  makes  me  right  sick  to  be 
forced  for  the  first  time  willingly  to  disobey  you.  Believe  me, 
bowevcr,  that  if  any  thing  could  have  made  me  hesitate,  it 
would  be  the  happiness  of  seeing  you  at  my  house.     But  I 


Oh'    M/f.s.  ilK\h:ii.\l.  ltlKI>K^h:i.. 


:i7 


uinli'rHtooil  iiiyHoir  in  this  iimttor,  and  know  liow  liiird  it  wiiuld 
bo  lor  nil)  to  f^o  IVoni  von  ;  iid  roCnso  >■""  "">'  tliln;.',  tiiid  tliori!- 
i'oro,  I  I'orboro,  in  my  Inst  Ic^ttor  l)(!l'oro  tiiis,  to  \w<^  yon  (o  oonio 
to  nn>.  I  conid  nut  unduro  tliu  tlion;.dit  of  .so|i;initin^  niysoit' 
IVoni  yon,  os|ioeiiiily  tor  ho  Iom^  ii  tinn^;  tind  yot,  tlio  tl>on;.dit 
tliat  yon  l>oi;;;od  mo  —  nay,  conimandod  nu;  to  romain  in-ro, 
made  mo  .siiuddor.  Vet  to  ri^main,  wlion  tho  bowl,  tbo  tond^M•l;^*t 
of  iln^<ballds  allowed  me  to  follow  bim,  wonld  bave  been  im- 
jioHsiblo.  Duty,  lovo  and  eonseienco  forbade  it.  It  in  the  duty 
of  a  wife  to  leave  all  and  follow  ber  liu,sl)anil.  My  love  for 
liiin  in  known  to  yon,  as  well  im  \\w  for  me  and  tint  ebildren. 


WoLKKNniiTTKt.,  M(i^  a,  177<'). 

Tf  you  ooiild  only  know  how  rejoiced  1  am  to  see  by  your 
letter  that  you  bej^'in  to  be  more  reconciled  to  my  journey  I  \ 
have  now  the  satisfaction  ol'  knowinji;  that  every  one  approves 
of  my  haviuf^  followed  the  dictates  of  duty.  Yes,  I  travel  with 
tlio  most  contident  assurance  that  (»od,  who  knows  my  inner- 
most heart,  and  to  whom,  therefore,  my  intentions  are  known, 
will  watch  over  and  j)re,serve  me  and  the  children  from  barm. 
The  only  thinj^  that  worries  me,  dear,  kind  mother,  is,  leaving 
you  behind;  but  I  hope  that  it  will  not  be  for  long,  for  perhaps, 
(iod  may  soon  grant  peace,  and  then  we  maybe  able  to  pass 
our  days  more  ((iiietly.  (iod  gives  his  blessing  to  all.  In  the 
meantime  pray  to  him  for  ourselves  and  our  children,  and  every 
thing  will  prosper  with  us.  On  my  part,  my  most  ardent 
wishes  and  fervent  prayers  shall  daily  arise  t(j  God  that  be  will 
preserve  you,  most  worthy  mother,  and  cause  the  remainder  of 
your  days  to  pass  away  happily.  Preserve  your  love  for  us 
always,  and  we  shall  ever  love  and  venerate  you.  Have  the 
kindness  to  write  me  once  more  and  assure  me  of  your  love. 
If  you  write  immediately,  I  can  receive  your  letter  at  this  place 
before  I  set  out  on  my  journey,  which,  if  we  all  remain  well, 
will  be  toward  the  13th  of  this  mouth.  I  bog  that  you  will 


38 


LKTTERS  AXD  JOVliNALH 


address  your  next  lotters  to  Bristol,  where  I  shall  await  verbal 
iustructions  from  my  husband. 


Mrs.  General  Jilcdescl's  Account  of  her  Journey  from 
Wolfenhiittel  to  Bristol. 

I  set  out  on  my  journey,  on  the  14th  of  May,  at  five  o'clock 
in  the  morning  from  Wolfenhiittel;  and  notwithstanding  my 
passionate  longing  to  see  my  husband  once  more,  I  still  felt  the 
greatness  of  my  undertaking  too  much  not  to  have  a  heavy 
heart,  especially  as  my  friends  had  not  ceased  to  repeat  to  me 
the  dangers  to  which  I  exposed  myself.  Gustava,  my  eldest 
daughter,  was  four  years  and  nine  mouths  old ;  Frederica,  my 
second,  two  years ;  and  Caroline,  my  youngest  child,  just  ten 
weeks  old.  I  had,  therefore,  need  of  all  my  courage  and  all  my 
tenderness  to  keep  me  from  relincjuishiiig  my  unprecedented 
wish  to  follow  my  husband.  They  represented  to  me  not  only 
the  perils  of  the  sea,  but  told  me,  also,  tiiat  we  were  in  danger 
of  being  eaten  by  the  savages,  and  that  the  people  in  America 
lived  upon  horse-flesh  and  cats.  Yet  all  this  frightened  me 
less  than  the  thought  of  going  into  a  country  where  I  could  not 
understand  the  language.  However,  1  was  prepared  for  every 
thing ;  and  the  thought  of  following  my  husband  and  of  doing 
liiy  duty,  has  kept  me  in  good  spirits  during  my  whole  journey. 

At  our  first  stopping  place,  my  good  old  Rockel  said  to  me 
with  a  confident  manner,  as  he  lifted  the  children  out  of  the 
carriage,  "See  how  (iod  blesses  our  journey;  our  children  are 
looking  much  better !  "  This  Rockel  h;id  been  with  us  eight 
years,  when  my  father  gave  him  the  place  of  forester.  As  soon  as 
he  heard  of  the  departure  of  my  husband,  and  that  I  was  to  fcdlow 
him,  he  left  every  thing  in  the  lurch  in  order  to  accompany  me 


OF  MJiS.  (iEXERAL  KIKOESEL. 


39 


as  a  footman ;  *  and  during  our  whole  journey,  he  has  showed 
all  of  us  the  jtrcatest  attachment  and  attention,  especially  for 
the  children,  whom  he  made  it  his  duty  to  carry  and  take  care 
of.     In  a  tavern  where  I  stopped  the  first  noon,  I  came  across  a 
very  rude  landlord.     While  tlie  horses  were  feeding  I  ordered 
a  beer  soup,   for  which  I  was  obliged  to  pay  ten  groschen.f 
Upon  my  complaining  of  this  charge  as  being  too  much,   he 
answered  me  very  snappishly  that  1  must  pay  it,  and  that  I 
could  have  stayed  away  if  I  had  wished,     lie  further  added 
that  he  might  be  uncivil,  but  I  would  meet  with  still  more  un- 
civil ones,   to  whom  I  should  be  obliged  to  pay  six  times  as 
much  —  a  delightful  encouragement  for  me  who  had  intended 
to  live  very  frugally!    In  Macstricht  they  warned  me  to  be  on 
my  guard,  as  the  roads  had  become  very  insecure  by  reason  of 
highwaymen,  one  hundred  and  thirty  of  whom,  within  the  last 
fortnight,  had  been  executed,  part  by  hanging,  and  part  in  an- 
other manner.     But  this  number  is  not  the  fourth  part  of  those 
still  at  large,  who,  when  caught,  will  be  strung  up  without  fur- 
ther process,  on  the  highway  — on  the  very  spot  where  they  are 
found  practising  their  profession.     This  news  threw  me  into  a 
great  fright,  and  I  determined  not  to  travel  by  uight.     But  as 
I  had  received  very  bad  horses,  I  was  obliged  to  pass  through 
a  forest  at  twilight.     Suddenly,  sojue  object  hanging  in  the  air 
struck  me  through  the  open   WMui...v  of  my  carriage.     There- 
upon I  seized  it;  and.  as  ^  id*    .•.•■-.('.ang  rough,  I  asked  what 
it  might  be.     It  .-a.s  tiie  body  of  a  huuged  man  with  wooieu 
stockings!     Thodg)      :  jroi,"?hly  frightened  at  this  adventure, 
my  terror  became   o\cn   groiter   when,   presently,  we   stopped 

before  a  house  standing  wholly  alone   in  this  same  wood i'  , 

postillions  refusing  to  g)  a  stop  farther.     The  place  was  called 

*In  tho  oriiiiniil  the  woid  is  yiUju:  Tlio  priiniiry  moiiiiiiu-  of  tlii,<  word  is,  a 
hmitoi-,  ))iit  wXwn  ummI  in  tliis  .joiiiKTiion,  a  yiirjer  answers  piwi<eiy  to  the  KiiirUsh 
word  tljer,  thiit  is,  a  liveried  I'ootiniiii. 

tA  grosclicn  is  a  fraction  over  tliree  eentH  of  .\mcrican  rao.iey  —  iwenty-foti  ■  of 
which  malte  a  Prussian  tlialer,  or  about  neveuty-Jlve  cents,  u^,  meitijuud  in  n  jTe- 
tediug  note. 


i  t*. 


■M  ! 


M 


40 


LETTERS  A\D  JOURNALS 


Hune.  I  shall  never  forget  it !  A  man  of  quite  a  suspicious 
appearance  received  us,  and  conducted  us  into  a  very  remote 
room,  in  which  I  found  only  one  bed.  It  was  cold,  and  I  had, 
therefore,  a  fire  made  in  a  grefit  chimney.  Our  entire  supper 
consisted  of  tea  and  coarse  bread.  My  faithful  llockel  came  to 
me  with  a  very  anxious  countenance  and  said:  "Things  are 
not  right  in  this  place;  there  is  a  room  full  of  arms,  and  I  be- 
lieve the  most  of  the  band  are  absent,  and  are  surely  robbers. 
JJut  I  shall  sit  during  the  night  before  the  door  of  your  room, 
with  my  fire-arms,  and  sell  my  life  dear.  The  other  servant 
shall  sit  in  the  coach  also  with  his  fire-arms.  All  this  naturally 
gave  me  an  unquiet  night's  rest.  I  seated  myself  upon  a  stool 
and  laid  my  head  upon  my  bed.  However,  I  finally  slept ;  and, 
how  great  was  my  joy  on  awakening,  when,  at  four  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  they  came  to  tell  me  that  every  thing  was  ready 
for  our  departure  !  I  thereupon  put  my  head  out  of  the  window, 
and  saw  in  the  wood,  where  we  were,  a  great  number  of  night- 
ingales, which,  by  their  sweet  singing,  made  me  forget  all  my 
previous  terror.  My  entire  journey,  however,  was  very  pros- 
perous. T  passed  through  Brussels,  Tou.nay.  and  St.  Omer, 
where  I  arrived  on  the  31st  of  May  at  one  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon. Between  Tournay  and  St.  Omer  I  passed  a  town  called 
Cassel,  where  there  is  a  mountain  which  I  visited.  From  the 
summit,  one  could  see  thirty-two  towns,  exclusive  of  hamlets. 
It  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  prospects  that  can  be  imagined. 
Upon  my  arrival  at  Calais,  1  immediately  sent  for  the  captain 
of  a  ship,  with  whom  I  made  arrangements  for  our  passage  over 
to  England.  I  took,  according  to  advice,  a  packet-boat  for  us 
all,  in  order  to  be  more  comfortable,  but  left  my  carriage  behind, 
as  they  told  be  that  in  Dover  one  was  obliged  to  pay  a  fine  of 
thirty,  or  even  sixty  guineas  on  a  coach  brought  into  England 
from  a  foreign  country.  I  was  forced  to  remain  two  days  in 
Calais  on  account  of  contrary  wind.s.  Finally,  1  was  summoned 
on  board  the  ship.  I  confess  my  heart  beat  a  little.  Both  my 
oldest  children  were  in  fine  spirits,  for  in  order  to  increase  their 


OF  Mns.  GENKTtAh  niKDESEL. 


41 


courage  I  had  promised  them  that  they  sliould  see  their  father 
after   we  had  crossed  the  channel.      I  pretended  to  be  very 
courageous  in  order  to  dispel  all  their  fears.     We  were  driven 
to  the  shore,  whence  the  boatmen,  taking   up  the  two  eldest 
children,  carried  thcui  on  board  the  ship.     T  had  the  youngest 
in   my  arms.     The  servants  followed   mo  on   foot.      I  looked 
around  me  for  the  children,  and  found,  to  my  great  astonish- 
ment, that  they  were  already  on  board  the  ship,  playing  anion"- 
the  sailors.      I  had   the  little  cue,  also,   lifted  on  board ;  aiui 
now  my  heart  having  a  magnet,  I  found  it  not  ,so  bad  as  I  had 
imagined.     A  plank  was  thrown  across  from  the  shore  to  the 
ship,  over  which   I  walked  with   firm   steps.       The  ship  was 
handsome  and   clean,  which  at  once  relieved  me  of  all  fear. 
The  sailors,  also,  appeared  contented.     T  had  a  love  of  a  cabin 
in  which  were  eight  beds.     All  of  its  furniture  was  of  mahogany 
and  brass,  and  so  highly  polished  that  one  could  see  himself  in 
it.     I  was  told  that  my  children  and  myself  had  better  lay  our- 
selves on  the  beds;  but  there  was  no  air  below  and  we  accordingly 
went  above  upon  dock  and   ate  and  drank  with  an  excellent 
appetite.     My  daughter,   little   Fredorica,  became  so  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  sailors,  that  when  she  Avishcd  to  go  up  or 
■'.■^ttn,  she  always  called  out  "  Husband  !  your  arm!"     These 
[..;op.,  ,,re  very  fond  of  children,  and  know  well  how  to  wait  upon 
them.     One  of  them  was  in  the  habit  of  taking  up  little  (,'aro- 
li.-  ,  carrying  her  about,  and  taking  care  of  her.     It  was  very 
'v  .'  tosee  him,  a  largo,  brown  complexioiunl  fellow,  with  a  little 
(ihild  con.tantly  laughing  at  him.     We  all  remained  well.     The 
captain  assured  us   that  he  had  not  had  in  a  long  time  such  a 
favorable  wind,   which,   thougii  pretty  strong,  was  yet  from  a 
right  direction.    In  five  hours  we  were  across.    As  the  ebb  of  the 
tide  would  have  prevented  our  landing  bel'ore  eight  or  nine  hours, 
we  seated  ourselves  in  a  little  ship  and  were  on  land  in  six 
minutes.     My  inmost  heart  was  stirred  with  gratitude  toward 
God,  who  had  so  happily  assisted  us  across,  and  was  also  full  of 
the  thought,  "  You  will  bring  your  children  in  health  to  your 
0 


42 


LKrVEIiH  AXJ)  JOntXALS 


liusband."  They  now  were  deterniiued  to  have  their  fiither, 
whicli  troubled  me  greatly.  I  beguiled  them,  however,  by  saying 
that  we  umst  embark  once  more.  But  now  they  teazed  me 
continually  and  jumped  up  whenever  they  saw  a  ship.  As  soon 
as  we  landed  at  Dover  we  received  many  congratidations  upon 
having  accomplished  so  long  a  journey ;  but  this  cost  us  money. 
More  than  thirty  ii>  '-epers  came  to  me  and  begged  that  I 
would  be  pleased  to  ^^  t  un  wit)i  them.  I  made  choice  of  a 
French  inn,  and  found  .  ,  rmuiodations  very  good.  It  wa  ;, 
in  truth,  a  magnificent  hot, ;.  "  1  every  thing  about  it  was  most 
remarkably  clean.  The  custom  house  officer  came  to  search  my 
baggage,  which  is  very  troublesome,  but  I  had  letters  addressed 
to  him ;  and  as  soon  as  he  heard  that  I  desired  to  follow  my 
husband  to  America,  he  very  gallantly  said  that  it  would  be  cruel 
to  worry  the  wife  of  a  genera)  who  had  gone  to  that  land  for 
the  service  of  the  king.  And  thus  I  came  out  all  ridit.  As 
I  had  been  obliged  to  leave  my  carriage  at  Calais,  I  was  forced 
to  take  a  stage-coach  from  here  to  Jiondon,  which  was  very 
expensive,  since  the  baggage  was  charged  for  by  the  pound. 

I  arrived  at  Jiondon  on  the  evening  of  the  1st  of  June,  and 
found  there  many  people  whom  T  knew,  among  others,  (Jeneral 
Schlicifen,  M.  de  Kurtzleben  and  Count  Taube.  My  husband 
had  written  to  the  latter,  and  begged  him  to  secure  for  me 
private  quarters;  but  through  fear  that  I  might  not  come,  he 
had  omitted  to  do  so — otherwise  I  would  have  had  better  and 
cheaper  accommodations.  Nevertheless,  I  was  delighted  to  see 
such  evidence  of  how  much  my  husband  had  my  voyage  at 
heart,  and  how  little  he  doubted  that  I  would  carry  out  my 
plan.  I,  therefore,  rejoiced  the  more  at  not  having  allowed 
myself  to  be  deterred  from  my  journey.  I  must,  however, 
mention  a  circumstance  which,  on  my  first  arrival  in  London,  ex- 
ercised an  unfavorable  influence  upon  the  quality  of  my  lodgings. 

I  relied  entirely  upon  my  landlord  at  Calais,  to  whom  I  had 
been  recommended;  but  1  now  believe  that  he  abused  my  confi- 
dence, by  taking  advantage  of  it  to  convey  over  to  England 


Olf  it  UK.  GEXEUAL  niEDKSEL. 


43 


inauy  thiugs  at  my  expense.     lie  said  to  me,  also,  that  he  should 
advise  nie  to  take  with  us  a  trusty  man  for  our  protection,  with- 
out whom  [  would  run  a  great  risk.     He,  therefore,  pretended 
to  take  great  pains  to  find  me  such  a  one,  and  at  length  brought 
me  an  extremely  well  dressed  man,  whom  he  introduced  to  me 
as  a  nobleman,  and  a  very  good  friend  of  his,  who  would,  with 
pleasure,  accompany  me  to  London.     I  treated  him  with  great 
civility,  not  knowing  how  I  should  sufficiently  acknowledge  so 
great  kindness.     I  made  the  children  sit  opposite  to  me  in  order 
that  he  might  have  a  comfortable  seat;  and,  during  the  whole 
journey,  endeavored  to  manage  so  that  they  should  not  trouble 
him.     He  gave  himself,  also,  the  manners  of  a  man  of  conse- 
quence, and  ate  with  me  during  the  entire  journey.     I  noticed, 
it  is  true,  that  trlie  servants,  in  the  different  inns  on  the  route, 
made  themselves  very  intimate  with  him,  but  I  did  not  think 
much  of  it  at  the  time,  as  the  gratitude,   under  wliicli  I  sup- 
posed I  was  to  him,  clo.sed  my  eyes.     As  soon  as  we  arrived  in 
London    I  asked   for   a  good   room,  but   how   great  was   my 
astonishment  when  they  conducted  me    into  a  very  wretched 
apartment  in  the  the  fourth  story.     I  supposed,  however,  that 
all  the  other  rooms  were  already  occupied,  since  Mr.  de  Forenee 
had  assured  me  in  Brunswick,  that  I  should  have  magnificent 
lodgings.     General  Schlieffen  and  many  others   who  came  to 
call  on  me,  especially  three  ladies  to  whom  I  had  brought  letters 
of  introduction    from    the    hereditary   princess    (at   that  time 
duchess  of  JJrunswick),  were    surprised    to  find    me  in   such 
miserable  quarters.     The  following  day  n)y  landlord  came  to 
me  with  a  thoroughly  ashamed  air,  and  very  respectfully  asked 
whether  1  knew  the  man  with  whom  I  had  arrived,  and  whom 
I  had  requested  him  to  entertain  well  —  for  I  had  not  thought 
it  exactly  the  thing  to  have  him  take  his  meals  with  me  in 
London.      I  told   him   that  he  was  a  nobleman,  who,   at  the 
request  of  :\rr.  (Juildhaudin,  my  landlord  in  Calais,  had  been 
so  courteous  as  to  escort  me  on  my  journey.     "  Ah  !  "  answered 
he,  "  tlfis  is  one  of  his  tricks.     He  is  a  mthl  ih  place  and  a 


44 


LKTTKIts  ASh  .lOCRSM.X 


groat  swiiitllL-r,  whom  he  hiis  brouglit  licro  for  his  own  purposes ; 
iiiid  as  T  saw  you  sitting  iu  the  carriage  witli  tliis  man  on  your 
arrival,  I  confess  that  I  did  not  believe  you  were  wliat  you 
pretended  to  be,  and  therefore  judged  that  these  rooms  would 
be  good  enough  I'or  you.  Since  these  people  have  been  to  call 
on  you,  however,  I  see  how  greatly  mistaken  I  have  been.  I 
therefore  beg  your  forgiveness,  and  entreat  you  to  take  another 
room,  for  which  you  shall  not  pay  more  than  for  this  oim  here, 
for  1  very  much  wish  to  rectify  my  mistake."  1  thanked  him 
and  begged  that  he  would  free  me  from  this  man  as  soon  as 
possible.  Me  askc  '  .lo,  nevertheless,  five  or  six  guineas  (I 
forget  exactly  how  uiuch  it  was)  for  his  escort.  1  can  never 
forget  this  trick  i/f  ]Mr.  (iuildhaudin,  who,  by  the  way,  made 
use  of  my  carriage  w  his  uwu  private  specidative  purposes. 
lie  told  me  that  I  would  have  to  leave  it  behind,  as  I  would 
not  be  allovved  to  bring  it  into  England;  but  I  afterwards 
learned  that  he  probably  wished  to  hire  it  to  travelers  on  their 
way  to  Germany,  as  he  had  often  done  this  same  thing  with 
other  carriages  entrusted  to  his  care.  But  in  this  calculation 
he  was  disappointed  ;  for  as  sii«n  as  1  arrived  iu  London,  1 
wrote  to  the  minister.  Lord  N(M'tli,  who  immediately  gave  me 
permission  to  have  the  carriage  brought  to  London  free  of  all 
duty.  This,  it  is  true,  detained  me  (juite  a  little  while;  but,  at 
the  same  time,  added  much  to  my  comfort  and  convenience. 

When  1  arrived  in  iiondon,  niy  eyes  had  suffered  so  much 
from  having  become  overheated  during  my  journey,  that  one  of 
them  became  very  much  inflamed,  and  filled  with  considerable 
proud  fle.sh.  General  Schlieffen  desired  nic  earnestly  to  consult 
an  oculist,  and  brought  me  the  one  who  attended  the  tjuecn. 
lie  appeared  frightened  at  the  condition  in  which  he  found  my 
eye,  but  at  once  gave  me  hope  of  his  being  able  to  effect  a  cure. 
He  put  some  kind  of  a  powder  into  a  (juill,  and  requested  me 
to  open  my  eye  wide,  which  I  did  very  confidently,  not  having 
any  idea  of  the  pain  that  awaited  me.  IJe  then  poured  the 
whole  powder  into  the  eye,  that  it  might  eat  away  the  proud 


/A 


J 


OF  Mils.  I! I-:. \  HUM.  iiii:i>h:sh:i.. 


ir» 


flesli.  'I'lio  i>iiiii  I  endured  is  indescribable;  and  .since  tbon  I 
liave  never  been  able  to  brinj;'  iny.solf  to  su})niit  to  this  experi- 
ment; i'or  whenever  1  attempted  it,  my  eyes  involuntarily 
closed  themselves.  However,  it  did  me  a  <ireat  deal  of  jiood. 
The  oculist,  nevertliele.ss,  jj^ave  .still  another  prescription  ;  and 
I  was  obliged  to  pay  him  three  guineas,  which  did  not  seem  to 
me  entirely  right.  General  8chlieff"eii,  however,  told  me  that 
I  could  not  give  him  less,  as  he  was  the  ((ucen's  oculist. 

1  resided,  while  in  London,  in  Siiffolk  street,  and  found  every 
thing  very  dear.  As  T  had  intended  remaining  only  two  days, 
I  made  no  agreement,  but  after  eight  days  I  had  my  bill  brought 
to  me.  I  took  a  few  rides  around  the  city,  but  not  long  ones,  on 
account  of  little  (.'aroline,  whom  I  nursed  my.seU',  T  determined, 
however,  to  see  every  thing  on  my  return.  Still  ]  was  twice  in  St. 
James's  park,  and  saw  the  king  and  ([ucen,  who  were  quite  near 
me  in  their  sedans.  The  park  is  a  most  lovely  place  for  walking ; 
more  than  five  and  six  thousand  persons  come  here  daily. 

One  day  1  had  ((uite  a  disagreeable  adventure  in  liondou. 
My  Iriends  had  advised  me  to  buy  a  little  cloak  and  hat,  without 
which  I  could  not  walk  out.  I  had  been  dining  with  M.  de 
Iliniiber,  the  Hanoverian  minister.  His  wife  proposed  that 
we  should  take  a  walk  to  St.  James's,  but  neglected  to  tell  me 
that  a  part  of  our  dress  was  not  in  keeping  with  the  English 
fashion.  Jiittle  (justava  was  dressed  in  the  French  stvle,  with 
a  little  hooped  petticoat,  and  a  pretty,  round  hat.  I  noticed 
that  most  every  one  pointed  at  us  with  the  finger,  and  in(iuired 
of  31adame  Hiniibcr  the  cause.  She  replied  that  I  had  <i  fan. 
which  people  never  carried  with  a  hat,  and  that  my  attire  was 
too  dressy,  which  caused  us  to  be  taken  for  French  women, 
who  were  not  very  popular  in  Fiondon.  The  I'ollowing  day  1 
went  out  again;  and,  as  we  were  all  of  us  dressed  throughout  iu  the 
English  fashion,  I  thought  that  we  would  not  be  specially  noticed. 
But  I  was  mistaken,  for  T again  heard  the  cry — '  French  women  I 
pretty  girl  I "  I  asked  our  rnlvt  dr place  why  they  called  us  J"'rench 
women,  and  was  informed  that  it  was  on  account  of  my  having 


46 


LETTERS  AM)  JOI'U.XAIS. 


put  ribbons  upon  my  children,  I  tore  them  oif  and  put  them 
in  my  pocket,  but  they  mly  stared  at  mc  the  more ;  and  1  tliea 
discovered  that  it  was  on  account  of  the  hats  which  Knglish 
chiklren  wore  differently  shaped.  I  learned  from  this  the 
necessity  of  conforming  to  the  fashions  of  the  country  if  one 
would  live  pleasantly,  for  a  mob  is  soon  collected,  and  if  one  en- 
gages in  an  altercation  with  it  he  subjects  himself  to  insult . 

My  plan  was  to  go  to  Bristol,  and  there  await  an  opportunity 
to  go  to  America.  It  is  true  that  all  those  to  whom  I  had  been 
recommended  ad/ised  me  against  this  course,  because  there  I 
would  not  have  such  a  good  chance  to  obtain  news,  and  hear  of 
a  ship  sailing ;  but  my  husband  had  strongly  counseled  me  to 
go  there,  and  I  did  not  wish  to  act  contrary  to  his  instructions. 
I  accordingly  set  out  from  London  on  the  tenth  of  June,  and 
arrived  in  Bristol  upon  t'  o  eleventh.  I  had  no  sooner  stojiped 
before  the  inn,  than  the  mob  gathered  round  and  stared  at  the 
droll  appearance  of  my  carriage  (to  which  were  attat  bed  Ger- 
man steps),  and  at  the  two  muskets  that  my  servants  had  securely 
fastened  under  the  traveling  box.  They  fingered  them  over, 
and  also  raised  the  oil-cloth  cover  of  my  carriage  to  see  how  it 
was  painted.  ^ly  servant,  who  could  only  speak  a  few  words  in 
English,  instead  of  sitting  quietly  without  speaking,  began  to 
call  them  names,  and  was  paid  back  in  his  own  coin.  Upon  this 
he  lost  all  control  of  himself,  and  knocked  one  of  them  down  by 
a  blow  under  the  car.  Innnediately  the  entire  crowd  pitched 
on  to  him,  and  there  is  no  telling  what  might  have  happened 
had  not  the  mayor  —  who  was  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  place 
and  the  uncle  of  Mrs.  Foy  —  arrived  on  the  scene  at  the  very 
nick  of  time.  I  had  written  to  Mrs.  Foy  begging  her  to  pro- 
cure me  quarters,  and  the  mayor's  arrival,  at  this  time,  was  in 
consetjuence  of  my  having  sent  for  him,  on  my  first  coming  into 
the  place,  to  direct  me  to  them.  This  venerable  old  man  went 
off  immediately  for  his  niece,  with  whom  T  could  converse  a 
little  in  French,  and  with  whom  I  drove  to  my  lodgings.  These 
were  very  fine  and  spacious,  but  were,  also,  very  dear. 


' ' 


SOJOUTvI^  AT  BRISTOL,  rOllTSxMOUTH  AND 
LONDON,  AND  EiMBARKATION. 


1  discovered,  soon  after  my  arrival  in  Bristol,  l,ow  unpleasant 
It  IS  to  be  m  a  city  when  one  does  not  understand  the  lau-nia-c 
My  servants  had  lost  all  heart,  and  I  was  obliged  to  conceal  from 
them  how  badly  I  myself  lelt.  I  wept  for  hours  in  my  chamber, 
until,  finally,  I  gathered  courage  and  resolved  to  surmount  all 
difficulties.  I  took  great  pains  to  learn  the  English  language, 
and  in  six  weeks  made  such  progress  as  to  be  able  to  call  for 
what  I  wanted,  and  to  understand  the  newspapers,  which,  at 
this  time,  were  very  interesting,  particularly  those  articles  that 
related  to  Quebec,  where  my  husband  was  stationed. 

I  was  soon   obliged  to  change  my  lodgings.     My  landlady 
would   not  allow  me  to  have  the  least  washing  done  for  the 
children.     I  took  up  my  residence,  therefore,  in  another  dwell- 
ing, from  which  I  had  .-»  very  beautiful  prospect.     T  overlooked 
the  whole  College   Green  a  delightful   promenade  filled  with 
trees  m  the  midst  of  clean  grass,   and  paths  in  which  men 
women  and  children,  even,  were  in  the  habit  of  walking.      My 
own  children  ran  and  frisked  among  the  shrubbery  veiy  often. 
Bristol  would  be  a  very  pleasant  place  in  which  to  reside,  were 
Its  society  better,  but  the  number  of  sailors  that  reside  in  this 
city  makes   it  far  from   agreeable.      The  very  day  after  my 
arrival,  my  landlady  directed  my  attention  to  what  she  called  a 
most  charming  sight.     As  I  stepped  to  the  window  I  beheld 


VH 


48 


Lh:rrh:its  .\.\i>  .kivuxm.s 


two  imkcd  men  boxinj;'  with  tho  {iveiitcst  fury.  I  >'iiw  their 
blood  flowiii;;'  iind  the  raj,'c  that  was  painted  in  their  eyes. 
Little  at't'iistonied  to  such  a  hateful  sjiectaele,  1  ((uickly  retreated 
into  the  innermost  corner  of  the  house  to  avoid  hearing  the 
shouts  set  up  by  the  spectators  whenever  a  blow  was  given  or 
received. 

JJuring  my  sojourn  in  IJristol  I  had  an  unpleasant  adventure. 
1  wore  a  calico  dress  trimmed  with  green  tafl'cta.  This  seemed 
particularly  oH'ensive  to  the  J3ristol  people;  for  as  I  was  one 
day  out  walking  with  Madame  Foy,  more  than  a  hundred 
sailors  gathered  round  us  and  pointed  at  me  with  their  fingers, 
at  the  same  time  crying  out  ''  French  whore  I  "  1  took  refuge 
as  ((uickly  as  possible  into  the  house  of  a  merchant  under  pre- 
tense of  buying  something,  and  shortly  after  the  crowd  disj)ersed. 
Hut  my  dress  became  henceforth  so  disgusting  to  me,  that  as 
soon  as  I  returned  home  I  presented  it  to  my  cook,  although  it 
was  yet  entirely  new. 

About  three  Knglish  miles  from  Bristol  there  is  a  bath,  called 
Hot  Wells,  which  bears  a  striking  resemblance  to  Wendefurth, 
nenrT51ankerburg,  inthe  llartz,  except  that  at  Hot  Wells  there  arc 
many  beautiful  houses  and  a  large  assend)!y  hall.  One  meets  here 
many  people  who  come  for  the  purpose  of  bathing,  '.rhey  are 
mostly  persons  whose  disease  is  of  a  pulmonary  nature.  Almost 
all  the  ladies  ride  on  horse-back,  on  account  of  the  mountains 
and  rocky  valleys;  and  those  who  are  not  able  to  ride  sit  behind 
a  guide  in  a  kind  of  saddle,  which  is  made  similar  to  a  little 
arm  chair.  This  place  is  the  favorite  resort  during  the  summer 
months,  but,  as  winter  approaches,  the  crowd  ilock  to  IJath,  a 
town  lying  eight  miles  off.  At  Bath  a  person  is  never  at  a  loss 
for  amusement,  for  the  place  is  perfectly  lovely  and  full  of 
)iiagnificent  buildings.  But  \  saw  it  only  in  summer,  when 
there  is  but  little  society  there,  and  consequently  found  it  very 
lonely. 

In  the  house  in  which  I  lived  at  Bristol,  there  was  a  Captain 
Kenton  whose  wife  had  renuiined  in  Boston  with  a  daughter  of 


T 


OF  Mlts.  liKSHItM.   Illh'DKsh:!.. 


49 


fonrtcc'ii.     lie  loved  tliom  both  dearly,  and  begf-ed  ino  to  take 
cbarj^o  of  letter.s  wlieii  I  sliould  eiiibaik  for  Ainoriea.     Upon 
my  arrival    there,   1    learned  that  a«  her  husband  had  not  re- 
turned they  had    been   imprisoned,  and  afterwards  };reatly  ill 
used.     I   will   narrate   this,   however,    in    its  proper   place.      I 
made  still  anotiier  ncquaintaiiee  in  Bristol,  which  I  shall  alway.s 
dearly  prize.     The  way  of  it  was  this      .hist  as  I  was  .settiu" 
out  from  WoHenbiittel,  a  younj,'  Mr.  hce.  nephew  of  the  Ame- 
rican ^^'neral  of  that  name,  and  a  .stu(l(;nt  at  (,'aroline  Collej,^e 
in  Briuiswiek,  gave  me  a  .stronj-'  letter  of  introduction  to  an 
Knulish   banker,   of  the   name   of  Ireland,   at   the  .same  time 
assuring'  me    I  would  find  him  very  a<>;reeable,       Although   I 
placed  little  confidence  in  the  recommendation  cf  this  young 
man,  yet  I  .sent  the  letter  to  the  above  mentioned  banker,  who 
lived  six    Knglish   miles   from   the  city.     A  day  or  two  after, 
quite  an  elderly  gentleman  witli  a  very  pretty  wife  called  upon 
me,  wlio.se  friendship  I  had  the  good  fortune  to  gain  so  .soon, 
that  they  begged  me  to  visit  them      1  therefore  drove  over  to 
their  place  and  dined  with  them.     They  lived  in  a  magnificent 
country  scat,   beautifully  situated,   and  surrounded   by  a  most 
charming  garden.     I  found  there  two  mo.st  lovely  little  girls  — 
their  daughtens  —  who  constituted   their  entire  happiness,  al- 
though they  wished  very  much  for  a  son.     They  were  rich  and 
every  thing  anmnd  them  was  on  a  magnificent  scale.     The.se 
good  people  showed  me  much  friendship,  and  when  I  set  out 
for   rortsmouth,   with   the   intention  of  embarking   from    that 
place,  I  was  obliged  to  give  them  my  Avord,  that  if  the  shij)  — 
as  often  happened  — should  be  ilelaycd,   F  would  not  sail  after 
the  middle  of  October.     Afterward,  haviu";  iust  missed  sailing 
T  came  back   to   London   at  the  end  of  Septend)er.  whence  F 
wrote  them  in  the  spring  that  I  was  on  the  point  of  embarking. 
Immediately  these  good  people  came  up  to  London,  which  is,  I 
believe,  about  eighty -six  Knglish  miles  from  their  country  seat, 
to  tender  me    their  services.      Finding,    liowcvor,    that   they 
could  give   no  assistance,  but  determined  that  I  should  want 
7 


l»^y 


' 


60 


i.KTTKits  .\.\r>  jornxM.s 


Inr  iKithiiii;.  tlioy  iiisintcd  on  my  tiikiiij;  witli  ine  lottors  of 
introduction  to  tlioir  tVion(ln  in  tlioHo  portH  in  wliiili  I  niijilit, 
l)ossil)ly,  be  dftainL'il  by  c-ontrary  windn.  ACtor  I  bud  siiloly 
anivud  in  (^ucbcf,  and,  ronseqnently,  liad  no  I'lirtiier  nuud  ol' 
tbese  Ictturs,  I  opcnod  tbcni,  and  waw  deeply  moved  on  din- 
covering  tbat  tbcy  liad  cliarged  all  tlieir  friends  to  wnpply  mo 
with  as  mueb  money  as  .1  migbt  wish,  without  even  liniitinjj!, 
the  amount.  When  the  wile  was  afterward  delivered  of  a  son, 
tbcy  desired  me  to  stand  jjodmotber  —  an  honor  wbieli.  in 
Kngland,  is  a  ^reat  mark  of  friendship.  1  have  often  wislied 
tbat  this  son  miyht  be  able  some  time  to  eome  to  IJ  unswiek, 
tbat  I  mij;bt  re(|uite  the  jireat  friendshiji  bis  parents  sbowed  to 
me,  and  which  I  shall  never  forget. 

1  passed  three  or  four  months  in  llristol,  and  desired  nothing 
more  ardently  than  to  follow  my  husband,  especially  as  I  knew 
tbiit  (Quebec  was  still  in  the  bands  of  the  Knglish.  Hut  I 
could  never  induce  .Madame  Toy  to  go.  She  said  that  she  must 
wait  for  letters  from  her  husband.  Meanwhile  it  continued 
to  get  later  and  later  in  the  year.  I  wrote,  tliercforc,  to  the 
mini.stov.  Lord  (ieorge  Ciermaine,  and  begged  his  advice.  lie 
answered  me  very  politely,  that  it  was  indeed  true  tbat  winter 
was  drawing  near,  and  that  I  must,  therefore,  the  more  wish  to 
embark,  especially  since  my  husband  had  written  for  me.  But 
since  he  had,  at  the  same  time,  imposed  the  condition  that  I 
should  travel  with  Madame  Foy,  and  he  saw  me  determined  to 
follow  his  wi.shes  in  every  particular,  be  did  not  know  exactly 
what  counsel  to  give  me.  At  all  events,  however,  lie  would 
offer  me  a  passage  over  in  a  packet-ship,  if  I  could  induce 
Madame  Foy  to  accompany  me.  Hut  all  my  endeavors  in  thig 
latter  directionwere  fruitless.  At  last  tlie  long  expected  letter 
from  her  husband  in  America  came  to  hand.  Upon  this  my 
impatience  sbowed  itself  and  also  the  irresolution  of  Madame 
Foy.  Finally,  I  succeeded  in  persuading  her  to  consent  to  our 
departure.  I  accordingly,  again  wrote  to  Lord  (icrmaine,  who 
very  obligingly  at  once  answered  me  to  the  effect  that  he  owned 


I 


'//•■  Ml/s.  ^A•.\7•7M/.    lllKDHsHI,. 


61 


u  imckot-Mliip  that  was  t(i  .snil  witliuiii  any  dfln}  ;  tliiit  hiuvniild 
lender  mo  all  itn  cabins  tor  my  own  use,  and  tliat  of  thdso  wlni 
were  tu  a('inuii)any  nui;  mid  that  Mrn  Fny  i-uuld,  therolliri', 
Hhani  tlu'in  witli  mo  \i'  I  m  dusirod.  I  would,  lie  oontinuod, 
liiid  t'vory  tiling  uii  Ixmrd  the  ship  nicely  arranp'd  lor  my 
comt'ort,  and  tluit  it  jfavc  itim  infinite  satisCaction  to  have  it  in 
liis  power  to  nerve  me.  I  afterwards  learned  that  he  actiuilly 
Kavc  orders  to  have  all  necessary  provisions  put  on  hoard — not 
even  t'<n>-i'ttin^-  a  cow,  that  the  children  nii^-ht  have  milk.  Vet, 
notwithstandinjj;  this,  the  eaptain  of  the  sailiiif-'  packet,  on  his 
arrival  in  (.juebee,  made  my  husband  pay  for  all  these  articles. 

In  proportion  as  the  moment  fi>r  our  departure  approached, 
the  more  irresolute  Madame  l-'oy  became  She  loved  her 
comfort,  and  it  gave  her  pain  to  leave  her  very  pretty  and  well 
furnished  house.  Finally,  however,  we  set  out  Wn-  I'ortsmouth, 
where  we  were  to  embark.  Here  Madame  Foy  and  licr  sister 
found  many  oHieers  who  were  old  ac((uaintances,  with  whom 
they  pas.sed  a  very  gay  evening:  meanwhile  1  was  busily  cm- 
ployed  in  getting  my  children  to  bed.  Thc«e  officers  told  them 
that  it  was  already  too  late  in  the  year;  that  they  would  have 
an  exceedingly  unpleasant  pa.ssagc  ;  that  it  was  a  thousand 
pities  that  such  handsome  ladies  should  expose  themselves  to 
so  great  risks;  and  nuiny  things  more  to  the  same  ett'ect,  which  I 
could  not  understand,  not  being  a  sufficient  master  of  the  lan- 
guage. However,  it  resulted  in  her  telling  me  the  same  evcninu' 
that  she  should  go  back  to  Hristol.  \  urgently  besought  her 
not  to  decide  so  ha.stily,  and  went  to  bed,  she  remaining  with 
her  company.  The  following  morning  at  eight  o'clock  they 
came  a  id  informed  me  that  we  must  start  back.  1  l>egged,  I 
wept,  but  all  in  vain  ;  I'or  she  well  knew  that  my  husband  had 
enjoined  it  upon  me  not  to  undertake  the  voyage  without  her. 
8he  had  already  sent  back  our  cartman  with  our  baggage  to 
Bristol.  I  knew,  therefore,  that  there  was  no  help  for  it;  our 
conveyance  was  before  the  door,  and  1  had  no  alternative  but 
to  return.      As  we  were  driving  out  of  the  city,  I  saw  a  large 


1iC-l', 


52 


LETTElts  A.y/J  .fOVJtX.lLS 


wap;on  escorted  by  ;i  guiird  on  lioi'rioback.     I  asked  what  tiiat 
meant  r*     j\ly  Knulish  maid  (I  had  er^aged  an  Enj^lish  woman 
in   ]{ristol   for  my  journey)  trld   me  tliat  it  was  money  being 
conveyed  on   board   the  ship.     At  this  reply  my  heart  sank 
witliin   me,  and  1  remarked  to  Madame  Foy,  that  if  they  risked 
so  much  money  upon  this  sliip,  it  could  not  bo  too  late  in  the 
year  for  a  safe  voyage.      '•  Well,"  she  answered  me,  "  if  you 
think  so,  why  do  you  not  attempt  the  passage  ?  "     "  Because  you 
have  prevented  me  from  doing  so,"  replied  I,  "  by  sending  back 
our  luggage  to  Bristol  without  consulting  me."     To  this  she 
rejoined  in  a  bantering  tone,  that,  as  T  was  so  ,'<tout-hcarted,  I 
could  easily  undertake   the  voyage  with  the  few  clothes  I  had 
Ai'ith  me,  and   that  she  would  send  my  baggage  after  me  by 
another  ship.     This  woman  was  generally  very  gentle,  but  was 
I'^d  into  this  behavior  by  her  sister,  who  was  quarrelsome,  and 
really  dreaded  the  voyage.     The  tone  in  which  she  said  this, 
however,  at  once  put  me  on  my  mettle,  and  I  resolved  to  let  her  g(» 
on,  and  return  myself  to  ]5ristol  and  await  the  ship,  which  had 
not  yet  arrived.     It  was  expected  every  moment;    and  I  had 
less  doubt  of  its  speedy  arrival,  as  1  had  no  conception  of  the 
slowness  of  the  ship-masters,  and  how  often  they  were  detained.    I 
accordingly  sent  with  all  dispatch  my  trusty  jager,  Rockel,  on  foot 
after  the  cartman,  who  fortunately  understood  a  little  German,  and 
on  that  account  was  more  easily  persuaded  by  Rockel  to  unload  my 
baggage,     t  then  left  Madame  Foy  and  hurried  back  again  to  the 
place  whence  I  had  just  come,  determined  there  to  wait  i'or  the 
ship,  as  longas  the  season  of  the  year  would  permit.     1  was  led  to 
this  determination,   not  only  on  account  of  the  promise  I  had 
given   my  friends,   the  Irelands,   but  especially  as   I  had   been 
assured  by  the  family  of  Admiral  Douglas,  whose  acquaintance 
1  had  made  in  Portsmouth,  and  by  other  kindly  disposed  people, 
that  I  could  still  count  upon  fourteen  days  of  good  weather. 
Those  (ifficors,  also,  whom  T  had  seen  at  Madame  Foy's,  cituld 
ndt  even   deny  this;  and  when   1  re]iroachfulIy  reminded  them 
of  telling  such  a  diilerent  story,  they  excused  themselves  on  the 


OF  Vrts.  GKXKnM.  lUKDESKl. 


53 


plea,  that  having  found  the  hidies  so  very  timid,  they  thou-;iit 
they  could  not  please  them  better  than  by  dissuadin-  them 
from  the  journey.  I  often  dined  at  the  Douglass  mansion.  As 
I  was  not  yet  familiar  with  the  customs  of  the  country,  I  was 
continually  afraid  of  appearing  like  Ninette  at  Court,  in  the 
comedy.  For  example,  I  could  never  bring  myself  to  cat  vege- 
tables, boiled  after  the  English  fashion,  merely  in  water,  until 
1  noticed  that  they  sometimes  poured  over  them  an  excellent 
.sauce  of  butter.  I  therefore  prepared  them  in  a  similar  man- 
ner, and  found  it  much  better  than  our  own  way  of  eating  them. 
However,  vegetables  are  so  very  good  in  England,  that  one  can 
also  eat  them,  even  when  merely  boiled,  with  salt.  I  met  with 
another  embarrassment,  also,  in  regard  to  drinking.  Eatli  one 
in  turn  honored  me  by  offering  me  a  glass  of  wine.  I  had 
already  heard  something  of  this  custom,  and  that  it  was  consi- 
dered insulting  to  the  one  offering  the  wine  if  it  was  refused. 
As  I  was  nursing  my  youngest  daughter,  Carijline,  at  the  time, 
and,  therefore,  dared  not  take  the  least  drop  of  wine,  I  was  sorely 
perplexed.  The  first  day  I  luid  not  the  courage  to  refuse,  but, 
as  1  feared  that  in  the  end  it  would  injure  my  child,  I,  finally, 
with  all  frankness,  asked  whether  they  would  consider  it  an 
insult  if,  instead  of  taking  wine,  1  returned  the  compliment  in 
watery  They  smiled,  and  assured  me,  that  althougli  exacting 
people,  or  those  in  low  life  might,  perhaps,  take  offense,  yet 
high-minded  persons  would  excuse  it,  and  thus  [  was  also 
relieved  of  this  scruple. 

In  the  English  churches  they  always  repeat  aloud  the  l.ord's 
prayer  and  the  commandments.  It  struck  me  very  singularly 
at  first,  to  hear  every  one  repeating  the  prayei's  aloud,  which 
made  so  great  a  noise,  that  I  was  on  the  point  of  running  out 
of  tile  church.     Finally,  however,  I  did  as  the  rest. 

The  women  in  England  are  obliged  always  to  wear  their 
bonnets  in  church,  and  they  would  be  pointed  at  with  the 
finger,  ii'  they  came  in  without  them.  \Vhen  1  came  back  to 
Germany,  and  my  daughters  and  I  made  our  appearance    in 


I 


54 


LET'TEHS  AXD  JOUBXALS 


cliurcli,  with  our  bonnets  on,  every  one  stared  at  me.  Now, 
they  wear  them  in  church  fretiuently.  Thus  is  it  with  every 
strange  fashion.  I  remained  three  weeks  in  Portsmouth,  con- 
stantly expecting  the  arrival  of  the  ship.  At  last,  every  one 
assured  me  that  I  was  running  too  great  a  risk,  in  going  to  sea 
at  this  cold  season  of  the  year,  both  as  regarded  myself,  anc^ 
particularly  the  children  ;  and  that  it  was  wagering  a  hundret 
to  one  that  any  more  ships  would  arrive  at  Quebec  this  year, 
on  account  of  the  ice  with  which  the  river  St.  Lawrence  was 
covered  about  this  season.  As  I  had  long  waited  for  a  ship,  this 
state  of  things  was  dreadful.  But  to  remain  on  board  of  the 
ship  for  the  winter,  would  have  been  still  more  dreadful ;  and 
this  consideration  decided  me  to  give  up  entirely  the  journey 
for  the  present,  principally,  however,  on  account  of  the  children, 
for  whom  I  felt  anxious.  Had  I  been  alone,  I  might  have 
risked  it. 

Portsmouth  is  an  agreeable  seaport,  and  that  which  makes  it 
the  more  interesting  as  a  residence,  is,  that  one  has  a  fine  view  of 
the  ships  which  arrive  daily,  and  announce  themselves  by  firing 
cannon.  Then  the  people  run  down  to  the  shore,  and  with 
great  impatience  await  their  arrival  in  port.  Ships  are  built 
here,  and  the  dockyard  is  splendid,  as  is,  also,  the  building  in 
which  those  young  men,  who  are  intended  for  the  marine  ser- 
vice, are  educated.  Never  have  I  before  seen  such  order  and 
cleanliness  in  a  public  school.  Since  my  visit  it  has  been  entirely 
destroyed  by  fire.  The  house  of  the  admiral  is  beautiful,  and 
the  view  from  it  magnificent.  A  wall  encircles  the  city,  aflord- 
ing  handsome  walks.  There  are,  also,  many  beautiful  houses 
in  Portsmouth,  and  the  people,  though  mostly  sailors,  are  more 
civil  than  in  Uristol.  The  admiral  took  care  that  they  should 
be  so,  and  punished  all  irregularities  with  severity,  but  in  other 
respects  he  was  a  good  and  kind  man.  3Iy  money  by  this  time 
had  nearly  given  out.  I  had  only  sent  for  as  much  as  I  needed 
for  my  c<|uipniont  and  embarkation.  The  journey,  and  my 
sojourn   in   Portsmouth,   which  had  cost  me  considerable,  had 


np  MRS.  (lENEKAL  UIKnESEL. 


65 


nearly  exhausted  my  means ;  and  I  was,  therefore,  not  a  little 
rejoiced  to  find  in  the  same  inn  where  I  was  stopping,  friends 
to  whom  I  could  apply,  in  the  event  of  a  possible  embarrassment. 
These  wore  a  Captain  Young  and  his  wife,  who  had  just  arrived 
from  Tobago.  The  captain  during  the  Seven  Years'  War,  had 
served  as  adjutant  under  our  duke,  then  the  hereditary  prince, 
to  whom  he  was  entirely  devoted  ;  and  as  he  was  well  ac(juainted 
with  my  husband,  he  proposed  to  me  to  go  with  them  to  Lon- 
don, and  reside  at  their  house,  I  paying  my  own  proportion  of 
the  cost.  He  was  a  man  of  middle  age,  and  his  wife,  who  was  nearly 
thirty  years  old,  was  very  sallow  and  ordinary,  but  had  a  very 
sweet  face.  I  thanked  Heaven  for  this  discovery,  and  as  I  saw 
that  I  had  no  further  hope  of  going  to  Quebec  this  year,  1  pro- 
:>iised  to  follow  them,  which  I  did  in  a  very  few  days.  While 
on  my  Journey,  I  stopped  over  at  a  small,  but  neat  town,  the 
name  of  which  has  escaped  my  memory.  As  I  was  fearful  lest 
I  should  be  obliged  to  pay  as  much  there  as  in  Portsmouth,  I 
called  only  for  a  small  room,  a  leg  of  mutton  and  potatoes. 
The  hotel  itself  was  splendid,  and  all  its  inside  surroundings  of 
great  elegance.  The  corridors,  galleries  —  in  one  word,  the 
whole  housi  was  decorated  on  the  outside  with  flower-pots  and 


trees  intertwined : 


between  these  were  hung  glass  globes,  in  which 


were  seen  gold-tishes  and  birds. 


I  was  frightened  at  this  ele- 
gance, and  trembled  for  my  guineas,  especially  when  I  saw  my- 
self led  into  most  beautiful  apartments,  and  my  table  supplied 
bounteously  with  five  or  six  delicate  dishes.  As  the  landlord 
insisted  on  waiting  upon  me  at  table  himself,  I  said  to  myself, 
"  That  now  costs  a  guinea  more  !  "  The  next  morning  I  found 
my  servants  drinking  coft'eo  and  chocolate,  and  eating  tarts  and 
other  tit-bits,  and  could  not  restrain  myself  from  administering 
to  them  a  gentle  reproof  at  their  treating  themselves  to  these 
delicacies,  when  they  inu.st  know  that  I  was  but  poorly  supplied 
with  money.  They  assured  mc  that  they  had  called  for  nothing 
more  than  tea,  but  that  the  landlord  had  said  to  them,  that 
such   brave  servants,   who  were  willing  to  follow  their   master 


5(5 


LETTKliS  AXIf  JOVliS'M.S 


and  mistress  to  America,  deserved  to  be  well  entertained.  In 
sliort,  there  was  no  attention  and  courtesy  with  which  I  was 
not  loaded.  Finally,  in  fear  and  trembling,  I  called  for  my 
bill  ;  and  behold,  I  had  only  to  pay  ten  shillings !  I  told  the 
landlord  that  he  had  certainly  made  some  mistake.  "  No," 
answered  he,  "  I  have  made  a  fair  profit,  and  think  myself 
fortunate  that  T  have  it  in  my  power  to  prove  to  you  that  there 
are  honorable  people  in  England.  I  admire  your  courage,  and 
wish  to  convince  you  of  it." 

Upon  entering  my  carriage,  I  ibund  it  decorated  with  wreaths 
of  flowers,  and  nosegays;  and  upon  accidentally  taking  hold  of 
the  pockets  of  the  wagon,  [  found  that  the  landlord  had  had 
the  politeness  to  fill  them  with  cakes  and  oranges  for  the 
children. 

I  arrived  in  London  toward  the  end  of  September,  and  soon 
afterward  learned,  to  my  great  chagrin,  that  the  ship,  which  I 
had  so  longingly  awaited,  had  reached  ]*ortsmouth,  and  imme- 
diately departed  f<ir  America.  They  assured  me,  however,  that 
1  should  have  run  a  great  risk  had  I  gone  so  late  in  the  year. 
Yet  I  learned  afterward,  that  the  ship  had  arrived  safely  in 
Quebec,  though  another  one  that  touched  at  Portsmouth  only  a 
few  days  later,  had  been  crushed  by  the  ice ;  the  crew,  how- 
ever, were  rescued. 

I  was  now  in  London  at  the  Youngs,  and  fed  upon  the  best 
of  everything;  and  as  often  as  I  spoke  of  paying,  I  received 
the  answer,  that  they  were  only  too  fortunate  in  possessing  me. 
This,  indeed,  eau.scd  me  great  embarrassment;  but  as  I  supposed 
them  to  be  innnensely  wealthy,  and  on  that  account  did  not 
wish  to  take  money  from  me,  it  occurred  to  me  to  have  my 
portrait  painted  on  a  bracelet,  and  have  it  set  in  diamonds,  which 
I  had  with  me,  and  then  to  priisent  it  to  the  wife  before  my 
departure.  In  this  way,  1  hoped  to  lighten  my  obligation, 
without  causing  expense  to  my  husband.  I  spent  my  time  with 
^ladame  Young,  who  was  very  sickly  and  hypochondriacal,  and 
with  our  landlady,  Mistress  liohlen,  a  worthy  and  lovely  woman, 


"i 


OF  .l//.>.S'.  GKXK/tAL  IIIEDKSEL.  57 

and,  on  the  whole,  was  tolerably  happy.  Meanwhile,  Madame 
Young  renewed  her  old  acquaintances,  lived  very  expensively, 
bought  gowns  and  head-dresses  by  the  dozen,  kept  the* house 
full  of  milliners  and  mantua-makers,  and,  as  soon  as  her  pre- 
parations had  all  been  completed,  proposed  that  we  together 
should  visit  the  public  resorts  and  private  companies.  I  ex- 
cused myself  on  the  ground  that  I  was  a  nurse,  and,  therefore, 
could  not  leave  my  youngest  child,  and  more  than  all,  that  I  was 
too  sad  and  uneasy  on  account  of  my  absent  husband,  to  attempt  any 
such  thing.  I  added,  finally,  that  I  feared,  also,  the  great  expense 
which  it  would  entail;  that  she  knew  I  expected  money  from 
Germany,  and  did  not  wish  to  abuse  the  confidence  of  my  husband, 
who  had  provided  for  my  expenses  with  a  free  and  liberal  hand. 
She  took  my  refusal  very  badly,  for  her  intention  was  to  go 
out,  and  she  had  the  idea  that  it  would  be  more  becoming  if  she 
had  somebody  as  an  escort.  Instead,  therefore,  of  being  friendly 
as  hitherto,  she  treated  me  with  almost  rudeness  j  and  that 
which  made  matters  still  worse  was,  that  her  husband  praised 
me  for  my  great  attachment  to  my  children,  which  prevented 
me  from  going  out.  She  accordingly  came  to  me  one  day,  and 
asked  if  I  had  yet  found  a  lodging  ?  On  account  of  their  so 
often  repeated  invitations  to  remain  yet  longer  with  them,  I 
had,  indeed,  not  thought  of  it;  still  I  answered  that  I  had 
already  taken  the  matter  in  charge.  8he  replied  that  she 
knew  of  a  place  and  would  go  with  me  to  see  it,  and  thereupon 
led  me  to  a  truly  mean  house,  situated  in  a  bad  and  remote 
street.  I  told  her  that  I  considered  these  quarters  too  common, 
and  preferred  rather  to  economize  in  other  things  than  in  my 
lodgings,  which  I  must  have  respectable,  as  I  had  letters  of 
introduction  to  several  ladies  of  (juality,  and  wished  to  be  in  a 
position  to  receive  them  in  a  manner  befitting  their  station. 
She  answered  me  spitefully,  that  as  I  was  such  a  good  house- 
wife, and  loved  to  be  so  retired,  she  had  supposed  these  would 
be  satisfactory. 

As  we  were  being  driven  home,  I  noticed  an  advertisement 
8 


■Hf. 


58 


LKTTEHS  AM)  .IOCIl\M.S! 


on  ii  corner  house,  in  a  good  neiglibovliood.  I  went  in  at  once, 
and  found,  it  is  true,  a  small  dwelling,  but  one  that  was  clean 
and  respectable,  for  which  they  asked  four  pounds  a  week.  I 
said  that  this  was  more  than  I  was  in  a  position  to  give,  but  I 
could  assure  thom  that  if  they  would  let  me  have  them  at  a  lower 
rate,  I  should  always  be  home  in  good  time  evenings,  and  have 
my  door  closed  by  ten  o'clock.  The  landlady  saw  my  children, 
and,  as  soon  as  she  heard  my  history  aiid  the  fiitalities  that 
seemed  to  follow  mc,  she  said  to  her  husband  :  "  Look  now  ! 
we  have  no  children ;  these  will  take  the  place  of  children  at 
our  house ;  that  is  better  than  a  few  more  guineas ! "  She 
then  let  them  to  me  for  three  pounds  a  week,  including  furni- 
ture, kitchen  utensils,  and  washing  materia!-,.  I  iunncdiately 
took  my  departure  from  my  former  hosts,  and  betook  myself  to 
my  new  quarters,  where  I  found  myself  very  happy ;  for  I  was 
not  only  comfortably  lodged,  but  my  host  and  hostess  became 
my  warmest  friends.  I  told  them  with  perfect  frankness,  that 
it  was  my  intention  not  to  spend  much ;  that  it  was  true  my 
husband  allowed  me  a  liberal  hand  in  my  expenditure,  but  I 
was  the  more  desirous  of  limiting  myself  on  that  very  account. 
I  further  told  them,  that  my  whole  capital,  at  that  time,  con- 
sisted often  guineas,  and  that,  perhaps,  I  should  receive  nothing 
more  under  six  weeks.  "Well,"  replied  Mistress  Eussell,  my 
new  landlady,  "  I  will  be  your  housekeeper,  and  buy  your  bread 
and  meat,  and  as  for  the  rest  you  shall  be  supplied  by  our- 
selves, which,  as  well  as  your  rent,  you  can  pay  at  your  own 
convenience." 

They  both  taught  my  children  English  ;  and  wheii  I  was 
obliged  to  go  out,  I  confidently  left  thom  in  their  charge. 
When  I  was  on  the  point  of  going  away,  the  following  spring, 
I  noticed  that  the  husband  appeared  very  sorrowful  and  de- 
jected. T  inquired  after  the  cause.  "  Alas ! "  said  she,  "  it 
is  your  departure  which  distresses  him  so,  and  particularly,  that 
of  your  little  Caroline,  and  he  has  charged  me  to  beg  you  to 
leave  her  with  us."     "  What  would  you  do  with  licr  supposing 


Olf  .vns.  GEXETIAL  niKDESEL. 


59 


I  Kliould  dio '{  "  aaswcred  I.  "  Oh,"  she  rejoined,  "  the  uioiiieiit 
you  left  her  witli  us,  we  should  consider  her  as  our  own  ciiikl, 
and  give  her  our  entire  fortune."  If  I  desired  to  buy  some 
trifle  for  my  children,  the  good  woman  invariably  asked  uic 
whether  the  expenditure  would  not  exceed  the  sum  which  1 
had  allowed  myself.  I  was  delighted  to  be  with  such  high- 
minded  people  ;  and  I  had  yet  more  reason  to  thank  Providence 
that  it  had  taken  me  away  from  the  Youngs,  when,  in  the 
sequel,  she  contracted  so  many  debts,  that  they  came  near 
arresting  her,  and  did,  indeed,  levy  on  her  effects.  The  hus- 
band shortly  after  fled  the  country  from  the  same  cause,  and 
the  wife,  was  finally,  supported  by  her  friends.  I  would  have 
had,  therefore,  a  thousand  diff"erent  vexations,  if  I  had  kept  up 
my  connection  with  those  people.  I  cannot,  however,  suffi- 
ciently prai.se  the  good  treatment  [  received  from  the  English 
nation.  Even  persons  whom  I  did  not  know,  came  and  offered 
me  as  much  money  as  I  might  need ;  and  upon  my  expressing 
astonishment  at  this,  and  saying  that  they  did  not  know  but  I 
might  be  passing  myself  off  for  other  than  I  really  was,  they 
answered,  that  if  I  were  an  impostor  I  would  not  live  so  retired  ; 
neither  would  I  bestow  so  much  care  upon  my  children  as  1 
did. 

My  friends  advised  me  to  present  myself  at  court,  as  the 
queen  had  stated  that  it  would  give  her  great  pleasure  to  see 
me.  I  had,  therefore,  a  court  dress  made,  and  Lady  George 
Germaine  presented  me.  It  was  on  New  Year's  day,  1777.  I 
found  the  castle  very  ugly,  and  furnished  in  old  fashioned  style. 
All  the  ladies  and  gentlemen  were  stationed  in  the  audience 
room.  Into  this  room  came  the  king,  preceded  by  three  cava- 
liers. The  queen  followed  him,  accompanied  by  a  lady,  who 
carried  her  train,  and  a  chamberlain.  The  king  went  round  to 
the  right  and  the  queen  to  the  left.  Neither  passed  by  any 
one  without  saying  something.  At  the  end  of  the  drawing- 
room,  they  met,  made  each  other  a  profound  bow,  and  then 
returned  to  the  place  whence  they  had  started.     I  asked  Lady 


0      Fl 


v-« 


m 


I , 


60 


LKTTKUS  AM)  Jorit.SAl.S 


III 
III 


Gcrnmine  how  I  hIiouW  act,  and  whether  the  king,  as  I  had 
heard,  kissed  all  the  ladies?  -'No,"  she  replied,  "  only  English 
women  and  marchionesses ;  and  that  all  one  had  to  do,  was,  to 
remain  quietly  standing  in  her  place."  When,  therefore,  the 
king  came  up  and  kissed  me,  I  was  greatly  amazed,  and  turned 
red  as  fire,  since  it  was  so  entirely  unexpected  He  immedi- 
ately inquired  if  I  hud  received  letters  from  my  husband '/  I 
said,  "  Yes,  up  to  the  22d  of  November."  "  He  is  well,"  re- 
joined he,  "  I  have  inquired  after  him  particularly ;  every  one 
is  satisfied  with  him,  and  I  hope  the  cold  will  not  injiu'C  him." 
I  answered,  that  I  believed  and  hoped,  that,  as  he  was  born  in 
a  cold  climate,  the  cold  would  not  trouble  him.  "  1  trust  so, 
also,"  said  he,  "  but  this  I  can  assure  you,  that  where  he  is,  the 
air  is  very  healthy  and  clear."  Thereupon  he  saluted  me  in  a 
very  friendly  manner,  and  passed  along.  As  soon  as  he  was 
out  of  hearing,  I  remarked  to  Lady  Germaine  that,  by  the  kiss 
of  the  king,  I  had  now  become  naturalized !  Shortly  after, 
came  the  queen,  who  was,  also,  very  friendly,  and  asked  me  how 
long  I  had  been  in  London  ?  I  said,  "  Two  months."  "  I 
thought  it  was  longer,"  she  rejoined.  "  I  have  been  in  Lon- 
don," I  continued,  "  only  so  long,  but  have  been  in  England 
already  seven  months."  She  then  asked,  whether  I  liked  it 
here?  "Yes,"  I  answered,  "but  all  I  wish  for  is  to  be  in 
Canada."  "Do  you  not  then  fear  the  sea?"  she  further 
asked,  "I  love  it  not  at  all  "  "  Nor  I  either,"  rejoined  I,  "but 
I  have  no  other  means  of  again  seeing  my  husband;  I  shall, 
therefore,  joyfully  make  the  journey."  "  I  admire  your  mettle," 
said  she,  "  for  it  is  a  great  undertaking,  especially  with  three 
children." 

From  this  conversation,  I  saw  that  she  had  heard  more  of  me ; 
and  I  was,  accordingly,  additionally  pleased  at  having  been  pre- 
sented at  court.  During  this  reception,  I  saw  ixll  the  royal 
children,  with  the  exception  of  one  that  was  sick.  They  were  ten 
in  number,  and  all  beautiful  as  pictures.  As  I  had  been  so  well 
received,  I  visited  the  queen  several  times  afterward       In  the 


OA'  .l//?.s',  (IHXKII.XL  ItlKDKSKl.. 


61 


Hpring,  just  before  my  departure  to  Pftrtsiuouth  to  embark,  T 
paid  a  farewell  visit  to  the  queon,  when  she  once  more  asked 
me  if  I  had  no  fcar.s  of  such  a  frij;htful  voyage  ?  And  when  I 
replied,  that  since  my  husband  wished  me  to  follow  him,  I  did 
it  with  courage  and  delight,  believing  that  I  was  thus  perform- 
ing my  duty,  and  that  I  was  assured  that  were  she  in  my  place 
she  would  do  the  same;  she  replied,  "  Yes,  but  they  wrote  to 
me  that  you  undertake  this  journey  unknown  to  your  husband." 
I  answered,  that  she  was  a  German  princess,  and  well  knew  that 
I  could  not  undertake  this  without  the  consent  of  my  hus- 
band, as,  in  that  case,  I  could  not  have  the  necessary  money. 
"  You  are  right,"  said  she,  "  I  approve  of  your  resolution,  and 
only  wish  you  all  imaginable  success.  What  is  the  name  of 
your  ship?  I  shall  often  iu€|uire  after  you,  and,  upon  your 
return  to  England,  T  hope  you  will  visit  me."  Shekept  her 
word,  and  often  in(juired  about  me,  and  frequently  sent  her 
remembrances. 

General  Burgoyne  had  promised  my  husband,  that  wc  should 
travel  together.  I,  therefore,  asked  tlie  advice  of  Lord  Ger- 
luainc,  who  informed  me  that  a  man-of-war  was  certainly  safer ; 
but  as  one  was  wholly  dependent  on  the  vi-wain,  who  took  no 
pay  for  the  passage  or  expense  of  the  voyage,  it  would  be  un- 
plea.sant,  especially  as  I  had  children.  He,  therefore,  rather 
counseled  me  to  take  a  merchant-man.  Mr.  Watson,  a  rich 
London  banker  and  a  worthy  man,  who  had  already  been  three 
times  lord  mayor  of  that  city  (the  same  whase  foot  was  bitten 
off  by  a  shark  while  bathing  once  in  the  West  Indies),  had 
seen  my  husband  in  Canada,  and  promised  to  let  me  have  his 
ship.  General  Howe,  an  old  friend  of  my  late  father,  and  of 
mine,  also,  strongly  advised  me  to  accept  it,  and  promised,  for 
my  greater  safety,  and  in  order,  also,  to  give  more  conscijuence 
to  the  ship,  a  letter  of  marque,  together  with  two  officers  aud 
sixty  men.  Mr.  Watson  liked  this  arrangement  right  well,  as 
such  an  adjustment  is  of  great  advantage  to  the  owners  of 
ships;  although  it  is  in  a  measure  neutralized  by  the  fact  that 


'41 


''i 


V'l! 


02 


I.KTTKItS  AXn  JOlllXM.!^. 


it,  at  the  sauio  time,  exposes  the  ship  to  the  risk  of  a  fight. 
Mr.  Watson  sliowod  iiic  tlie  ship,  introdiu'cd  jiie  to  the  captain 
and  the  entire  crew,  and  declared  to  them,  that  whoever 
shouhl  offend  nie,  might  expect  tlie  same  punishment  as  if  he 
had  offended  him,  and,  moreover,  that  any  one  of  whom  I  com- 
plained, should  he  instantly  discharged. 

The  sliip  was  large  and  spacious,  and  was  immediately  ar- 
ranged as  I  wished. 

As  1  knew  that  it  would  please  my  liusband,  I  wrote  to 
Madame  Foy,  and  proposed  that  she  .should  take  the  journey 
with  me.  She  accepted  it,  and  all  errors  were  forgiven  and 
forgotten.  We  met  at  Portsmouth  ;  and  on  the  15th  of  April, 
1777,  we  went  on  board  of  our  ship.  We  were  very  busy  the 
entire  evening  in  arranging  our  things  in  order,  and  went  to 
bed  at  nine  o'clock. 


LETTERS  FROM  GENERAL  RIEDESEL 
TO  HIS  WIFE. 


Three  Hivers,  April  IGfh,  1777. 
What  sad  vicissitudes  of  liappiiicss  and  unluippiiicsH !  At 
the  Tslc  Aux  Noir,  news  was  broiight  to  nie,  at  tlic  end  of  the 
last  campaign,  of  the  safe  arrival  of  yourself  and  children  at 
Quebec.  I  was  beside  myself  with  joy  at  the  prospect  of  passing 
a  most  delightful  and  ((uiet  winter  in  your  society,  and  in  the 
bosom  of  my  beloved  family ;  but  how  dreadfully  was  I  de- 
ceived in  my  expectations  to  find,  upon  my  arrival  here,  instead 
of  yourself,  your  last  letter,  brought  by  the  ship,  FiOndon, 
informing  me  that  your  journey  would  be  postponed  until 
spring.  This  was  a  thunder-clap,  and  the  only  consolation  that 
remained  to  me  was,  that  I  could  still  thank  Heaven  that  your- 
self and  our  dear  children  were  at  least  all  well. 

The  ship,  London,  upon  which  it  was  expected  you  would 
have  taken  pa.ssage,  arrived  safely  at  Quebec,  on  the  8th  of 
December,  without  the  least  disaster.  Your  apartments  for 
yourself  and  our  little  family,  had  been  quite  comfortably  fur- 
nished and  fitted  up ;  and  we  would,  therefore,  have  passed, 
perhaps,  one  of  the  happiest  winters  that  we  have  ever  spent 
to^other  since  our  marriage.  That  hope  is  all  turned  to  water. 
But  God  has  so  ordered  it,  and  we  must  not  murmur,  but  bow 
in  submission  to  his  holy  decrees.  I  have  endeavored  to  divert 
my  mind  from  my  grief,  but  in  vain.  I  remained  from  the 
IJJth  of  December  to  the  IGth  of  January,  in  Quebec,  to  pay 
my  respects  to  General  Carleton,  and  have  been  overwhelmed 


1^^. 


Hi 


I.HITKIts  AM)  .nuilSALSt 


if 

i! 
I 


with  courtcsicH  and  attciilionM.  After  my  return,  T  oelcbratccl 
tlio  (luei'ii's  birlli-day  by  j^iviii^'  a  j;rfat  dinner,  a  bail  and  a 
HUjuter;  and  nineo  then,  I'nlluwing  the  oxamiile  of  the  other 
jienerals,  I  have  continued  to  give  a  supper  and  a  ball  every 
week ;  partly  to  j^ain  the  affection  of  the  iuhabitantM  of  this 
place,  and  partly,  also,  to  provide  innocent  pleasures  for  the 
othcers,  and  thus  keep  thcni  from  visiting  public  houses  and 
bad  conii)any.  (Jeneral  I'hilips  made  me  a  visit  in  the  month 
of  Ifebruary.  I  have  at  different  times  inspected  our  regiments 
in  their  wiTiter-((uarters ;  and,  in  the  bej;iniiing  of  March, 
(ieneral  Carhiton,  also,  visited  me  here,  and  reviewed  all  our 
troops.  He  was  perfectly  satisfied  with  them  all.  T  accompa- 
nied iiim  to  Montreal,  where  1  spent  eight  days  with  him  at 
(ieneral  I'hilijjs's.  On  his  way  back,  he  staid  with  mo  two 
days  more.  Since  that  time  T  have  again  been  round  to  inspect 
our  regiments,  t  spent  the  week  after  Kaster  by  myself  in  the 
country,  in  order  to  have  quiet  for  my  religious  devotions; 
and  now,  as  the  present  season  is  becoming  bcaiitiful,  and  we 
flatter  ourselves  that  we  shall  be  able  to  receive  vessels  from, 
and  dispatch  them  to  Europe,  I  seize  my  pen  to  talk  with  you  ; 
for  I  am  yet  uncertain  whether,  or  when  you  arc  coming,  and 
at  all  events,  I  am  determined  that  you  shall  not  be  without  news 
from  me.  Still,  I  dearly  wish  that  this  letter. may  have  been 
written  in  vain,  and  that  T  nuiy  have  the  joy  of  seeing  you 
arrive  upon  the  first  ship. 

In  this  letter,  you  have  a  short  account  of  every  thing  I  have 
done  during  the  past  winter;  and  I  will  only  say  to  you  —  in 
order  to  give  you  an  idea  of  the  swiftness  with  which  one 
travels  here  in  sledges  —  that  from  the  20th  of  February  to  tlie 
loth  of  April,  1  have  been  five  hundred  and  eighty  leagues 
(which  is  four  hundred  and  thirty-five  good  German  miles), 
partly  on  the  snow,  but  chiefly  on  the  frozen  river  St.  Lawrence. 
As  yet,  T.  do  not  know  when  the  army  will  break  up,  preparatory 
to  moving  oi;  New  England.  If  you  still  come,  as  I  continually 
flatter  myself  you  will,  remain   quietly  a  few  days  at  Quebec, 


iiF  MUs.  iih:\h:t!M.   /{/KDKSK/,. 


t;r) 


wlioii!  )(iu  will  Mtiiy  witli  my  jiood  IVicinl,  Mr.  Murray,  wlio.sc 
wife  is  a  nioritorioim  iwrHon,  Hho  will  ploiiMo  you  vory  inurh ; 
and  hIiouU  wo  have  alrondy  lirnkm  uji  our  i|uarlc'r.s  Iioro,  (ako 
up  your  Hojouru  at,  Tlirc-o  Rivor.x,  wIhtc  you  will  liiid  luy  (juar- 
tors  vaeaut  and  jiroparcd  lor  ycui,  to  which  ond,  1  shall  Ifavi;  iu 
tho  saiuo  housu  all  my  HUpurfluouH  l»ii;;t;aj;o.  The  j^raud  vicar, 
M.  Huiiitoujj;o,  will  hand  you  over  tho  keys  ou  ycuir  arrival  j 
and  ht!  aud  the  Touuaunuirt  family  will  loud  you  all  that  you 
may  need  iu  tho  way  of  furiiituro. 

You  will  find  a  tolorablo  garden,  arranged  with  reference  to 
walking,  and  to  furnishing  your  cook  with  all  necessary  supplies ; 
and  you  can  remain  here  until  wu  are  permanently  located  on 
the  other  side  of  tho  lake,  iu  Now  Kngland.  When  this  time 
arrives,  I  will  endeavor  to  provide  a  largo  ship  for  your  passage 
over  tho  lake,  and  will  send  you  a  reliable  otKcer,  who  will 
bring  you  to  mo.  I  think  it  probable  that  when  you  arrive  in 
Quebec  you  may  not  like  tho  place.  Neither  will  the  wife  of 
(Jenoral  Carletou  bo  a  woman  to  your  taste;  she  is  too  proud. 
Madame  Murray,  however,  is  a  worthy  woman.  All  the  oflicers 
trace  a  resemblance  in  her  to  you,  for  which  reason  I  have  given 
her  the  preference  over  all  other  Wfuneii.  {[ore  at  Three  Rivers 
you  will  find  three  families  who  will  overwhelm  you  with  politeness, 
aud  will  do  evm-y  thing  for  you  that  you  may  wi.sji.  First,  the 
grand-vicar,  who  has  a  cousin  by  tlie  name  of  Cabenac,  a  maiden 
of  much  wit,  who  \  am  confident  will  plca.se  you;  then  there  is 
the  family  of  Mr.  Tounaucourt,  a  colonel  of  militia  and  a  widower, 
but  who  has  throe  daughters,  extremely  well  educated,  who  will  be 
very  good  company  for  you ;  and,  lastly,  a  nunnery  in  which  tlicro 
is,  also,  a  seminary  for  young  maidens,  where  both  our  oldest 
daughters  can  find  pleasant  amusement,  f  think  you  will  prefer 
Three  llivers  to  Quebec,  on  account  of  its  ohoapuess,  for  one 
can  live  here  for  less  than  one-half  of  what  it  costs  in  Quebec 
or  Montreal. 

1  write  this  letter  in  duplicate,  sending  one  to  Knglaud,  in 
case  you  have  not  started  ou  your  journey,  and  the  second 
1) 


^ 


'M 


Hf- 


■li;';' 


ii 


!!     i, 


66 


LETTEliS  ANT)  JOVIiXALS 


to  Quebec,  where   you  will  find  it  on  your  arrival   at  Mrs. 
Murray's. 


1' 

,  r 

r 
.'li 

I  (    ' 


■I 


Three  Rivers,  June  5th,  1777. 
Dearest  Wife : 

On  the  6th  of  last  month,  General  Burgoyne  arrived  here 
from  England,  and  brought  me  the  good  news  that,  when  he 
left,  you  were  on  the  puiut  of  setting  out  in  the  ship  pf  Mr. 
Watson.  I  have,  therefore,  expected  you  for  the  last  four 
weeks  with  the  greatest  impatience,  and  am  now  obliged  to  set 
out  from  here,  on  account  of  the  delay  of  your  fleet,  without 
having  had  the  joy  of  seeing  you  —  a  circumstance  which  grieves 
me  inexpressibly.  But  as  it  cuunot  be  helped,  I  will  not 
murmur;  for  it  is  the  will  of  God,  who  knows  how  to  dispose 
every  thing  in  the  wisest  manner,  and  more  for  our  own  good 
than  we  often  believe. 

I  depart  this  instant,  my  love,  for  St.  John,  in  order  to  pass 
from  that  point  through  Lake  Champlain  to  New  England.  I 
leave  you  jiitirely  free  to  decide  whether  you  had  better  remain 
in  Quebec,  Three  llivers,  or  Montreal.  I  think  that  Three 
Rivers  will  suit  you  the  best,  because  it  is  cheaper.  There  you 
will  find  a  garden  and  a  house  thoroughly  prepared  for  your 
reception,  besides,  also,  your  own  countrymen,  as  Jiieutcnant 
Colonel  Ehrenkron  commands  at  that  place.  You  will,  more- 
over, be  near  our  military  chest,  and,  consequently,  you  need 
never  lack  for  money.  You  will  find,  in  addition,  wine  and  various 
other  things  that  still  remain  there.  I  leave  here,  also,  Biihring, 
the  ciijitiiln  (I'dniK's  of  my  company,  that  he  may  assist  you 
in  every  thing,  and  show  ^  ou  how  you  may  obtain  the  necessary 
provisions.  Your  servants  can  receive  their  supplies  from  the 
storehouse.  I  flatter  myself  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  place 
wish  me  well,    t  am  certain  that  they  will  treat  you  with  courtesy. 

Should  you  wish  to  drive  out  with  the  children,  you  will  be 
allowed  only  the  post.     That  costs  but  one  shilling  for  every 


>  <4 


CiiAMHLY,  June  10th,  1777. 

Though  removed  from  you,  deiir  wife,  yet  I  am  ever  with 
you  in  spirit,  and  even  now  am  seeking  solitude,  that  T  may 
the  better  talk  to  you,  and  in  thought  call  back  the  pleasant 
hours,  which  we  have  spent  with  each  other. 

Some  days  before   my  departure  from  Three  Rivers,  I  com- 
mitted the  blunder  of  leaving  open  the  window  of  my  sleeping 
room,  in  consequence  of  which  I  drew  into  my  system  a  rheu- 
matic fever.     This,  it  is  true,  passed  off  on  the  6th,  the  day  of 
my  departure,  but  left  me  somewhat  debilitated  the  first  day  of 
our  march.     Now,  God  be  praised,  I  am  again  completely  re- 
stored to  health.     To-morrow  I  go  to  8t.  John  to  give  orders 
for  the  repairing  of  the  boats.     By  this  time  I  hope  you  have 
arrived  at   Quebec  without  any  ill  luck,  and  1  await  your  first 
letter  with  the  greatest  impatience.    I  shall  hardly  have  the  heart 
to  open  it,  for  fear  that  something  has  happened  to  you  or  the 
children  upon  the  journey.     If,  however,  1  find  by  it  that  you 
and  the  children  are  well,   then  will  I  thank  (Jod  and  have 
unspeakable  joy.     In   that  case,  our  separation  will   not  last 
much  longer,   as   I   shall   have  you   conveyed  hither  the  very 
moment  that  things  become  somewhat  more  tranquil  with  us. 

Time  fails  me  to  make  this  letter  longer.  Farewell,  and  do 
not  be  uneasy.  God  will  be  your  and  my  protector  in  every 
event  that  may  befall  us. 


■  '"il 

■       \ 

m 


OF  .V/l.<!.  (iENERAl  IIIEDKSEL. 


67 


league.  As  for  the  rest,  remain  tranquil,  my  love.  I  shall  not 
allow  you  to  remain  long  here,  for  just  as  soon  as  our  camp 
becomes  quiet,  I  shall  send  for  you  at  once. 

Farewell,  dear  wife.  Uy  heart  is  very  heavy  within  me, 
because  I  go  hence  without  seeing  you,  but  I  hope  that  it  will 
not  be  ibr  lonj;. 


4 


V' 


"  Ijffjfnf^ 


DIARY  DURIXG  THE  VOYAGE  FROM  TORTS- 
MOUTH  TO  QUEBEC. 


On  the  16th  of  April,  1777,  as  soon  as  the  man-of-war,  tlie 
Blonde,  had  given  the  signal,  we  left  Spithead,  thirty  sail  strong, 
for  St.  Helena,  where  we  were  to  await  a  man-of-war,  named 
the  Porpoise,  that  had  been  ordered  to  escort  the  convoy.  We 
were  all  sea-sick  nearly  the  entire  day,  particularly  when  we 
had  thrown  over  the  anchor ;  for  then  I  found  that  the  motion 
of  the  ship  was  much  more  unpleasant. 

On  the  17th,  the  wind  rose,  and  on  the  18th,  at  six  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  a  second  signal  was  given,  and  we  weighed 
anchor  to  the  satisfaction  of.  all  sides. 

On  the  19th,  we-passed  Plymouth  under  a  fine  breeze.  Most 
all  were  well,  and  my  children  and  I  were  as  pleasantly  situated 
as  if  we  had  been  at  home.  The  weather  was  so  beautiful  that 
we  danced  upon  deck.  Our  music  consisted  of  a  capital  fifer 
and  three  drummers. 

On  the  20th,  21st,  22d  and  2.3d,  wc  had  contrary  winds, 
storms,  very  high  swelling  waves,  and  bad  weather  generally; 
and,  in  addition,  the  men  were  all  sick.  I,  alone,  had  no  time 
to  be  so,  for  my  servants  were  nearly  the  sickest  of  all,  and  I 
was,  therefore,  constantly  called  upon  to  wait  on  my  three 
children.  1  believe  there  is  nothing  better  for  sea-sickness 
than  to  be  right  busy;  for  on  the  first  day  1  was  as  sick  as  the 
others,  but  when  i  saw  my  children  sick  and  without  care,  1 


LErrEIis  .\S1)  JOVHNALS. 


69 


h 


thouglit  only  of  them,  and  found  myself  actually  better,  with  a 
good  appetite.  In  general,  one  docs  nothing  on  board  a  sliip 
but  eat  and  drink.  Every  day  we  had  four,  and  oftentimes, 
five  and  six  dishes,  which  were  right  well  prepared.  In  the 
morning,  when  I  was  up,  I  breakfasted  in  our  cabin,  washed 
and  dressed  the  children,  afterward  myself,  and  then  went  up 
on  deck.  When  I  could,  I  worked;  at  two  o'clock  we  ate 
dinner ;  drank  tea  at  six  o'clock ;  and  at  eight  in  the  evening, 
I  went  down  stairs  and  undressed  the  children.  Then  I  had 
my  supper,  and  at  ten  o'clock  went  to  bed.  My  oldest  daugh- 
ter, Augusta,  was  pretty  sick  for  two  days,  but  after  that  she 
was  better  than  ever  :  both  the  others  were  only  a  little  unwell ; 
and  all  three  had  a  good  appetite. 

On  the  24th,  we  had  beautifi'',  but  very  cool  weather,  and 
the  wind  was  too  weak. 

On  the  25th,  we  experienced  a  calm,  and  we  remained  nearly 
at  the  same  place.  The  helm  broke,  but  the  captain,  who  knew 
well  what  to  do  in  such  emergencies,  at  once  replaced  it.  We 
had  then  made  only  two  hundred  and  fifty  leagues  since  our 
departure. 

I  know  not  whether  it  was  the  hope  of  so  soon  again  seeing 
my  husband  that  gave  me  good  spirits,  but  1  found  the  sea 
not  so  dreadful  as  many  had  painted  it  to  me.  and  had  not  the 
least  repentance  for  having  undertaken  the  journey.  I  was 
conscious  of  fulfilling  my  duty,  and  was  calm  because  I  trusted 
in  (!i'd  that  he  would  bring  me  safely  to  my  dear  husband.  I 
would  gladly  have  sent  back  my  servants,  who,  more  uneasy 
and  timid  than  I,  were  almost,  if  not  entirely,  u.seless  to  me.  1 
pitied  them;  for  they,  of  course,  had  not  the  same  interest  in 
the  journey  as  I,  who  was  expecting  to  overtake  a  beloved  and 
esteemed  hu.sband.  The  children  felt  very  differently  from  the 
servants;  for  when  they  also  were  down  sick,  to  my  question, 
whether  they  wished  to  persevere  or  go  back,  they  answered, 
"  ( )h,  we  will  cheerfully  be  sick,  if  we  can  only  reach  our  papa!" 

On  the  2Gth,  we  again  had  a  fair  wind,  and  made  snme  headway. 


III! 

Ill 

III 


I 


i 


70 


LETTERS  AND  JOUUNALH 


On  tlio  27th,  wo  had  divine  worship.  It  was  exceedingly 
edifying  to  see  the  entire  ship's  crew  kuecl  down,  and  observe 
the  fervency  witli  which  they  prayed.  In  the  evening,  the 
wind  shifted,  and  the  ship  staggered  so  dreadfully,  that  many 
were  again  attacked  with  fresh  sea-sickness,  though  not  as  badly 
as  at  first.  I  often  fell  down  ;  one  of  my  daughters  had  a  finger 
crushed  by  the  swinging  round  of  a  door,  and  the  other  hurt 
her  chin. 

On  the  2d  of  May,  we  had  made  six  hundred  and  fifty  leagues. 

From  the  3d  to  the  Gth,  we  had  contrary  winds  and  storms ; 
and  on  the  4th,  on  account  of  the  continued  bad  weather,  no 
divine  worship  was  held  on  board  the  ship.  The  vessel  was  so 
tossed  about  by  a  storm  which  we  had  on  the  night  of  the  5th, 
that  we  could  not  close  our  eyes ;  and  I  was  fearful  lest  I  should 
crush  one  of  my  children,  as  they  all  three  slept  with  me. 
Little  Frederica  never  went  to  bed  without  praying  for  her 
father ;  and  once,  after  one  of  these  prayers,  she  said  to  me, 
"  I  long  to  see  my  dear  papa  soon."  I  asked  her  what  she  would 
pray  for  when  she  should  be  with  her  father  '/  "  Then,"  said 
she,  "  I  would  pray  to  God  every  day,  that  he  never  more  would 
separate  us."     This  affected  me  to  tears. 

At  last,  upon  the  Gth,  toward  noon,  the  wind  changed,  and 
during  the  7th  we  had  a  very  good  wind,  and  made  one  hundred 
and  thirty  leagues  in  twenty-four  hours.  All  were  delighted, 
and  paid  visits  to  the  different  ships.  The  ship,  Henry,  which 
had  on  board  one  hundred  and  thirty-four  of  our  troops,  was 
so  polite  as  to  raise  its  flag  and  call  out,  "  Long  live  the  dear 
wife  of  our  general,  and  the  good  general  himself!  "  I  cried,  in 
myturn  "  Long  live  the  entireship  !  "  and  showed  them  my  three 
children  as  the  choicest  treasures  I  possessed.  Thereupon  they 
again  shouted,  "  Hurrah  !  hurrah  !  "  The  next  moment  they 
formed  themselves  into  a  prayer-meeting  and  prayed,  and  sang 
hymns.  i\Iy  whole  heart  was  stirred  within  me.  The  man-of- 
war.  Porpoise,  came  up  close  to  us  almost  every  day,  to  incjuire 
after  my  state  of  health,  and  to  know  if  they  could  help  us  in 


V,^lJ 


OF  M/{S.  GFlSKItAL  RIEDESKL. 


Tl 


l| 


any  way.  The  captain  of  the  ship  was  the  very  same  who  had 
carried  my  husband  to  Canada.  My  husband  had  pledged 
himself  to  get  him  promoted  at  the  end  of  the  voyage  —  for  he 
was  only  a  lieutenant  —  and  upon  his  intercession  he  accord- 
ingly was  raised  to  the  rank  of  captain.  There  was  on  board 
of  this  ship,  a  Captain  Skin  (governor  of  the  province  of 
Georgia),  with  his  son,  whose  acquaintance  I  had  made  in 
Portsmouth,  at  which  time  they  were  so  polite  as  to  tender  me 
an  advance  of  two  hundred  guineas,  in  case  I  should  need 
money.  It  is  true  I  did  not  have  any  occasion  for  such  a  loan, 
but  I  have  none  the  less  kept  their  kindness  in  grateful  re- 
membrance. 

Upon  the  8tli,  wc  fell  in  with  a  ship,  which  at  first  they  took 
for  an  American.  Although  we  had  nothing  to  fear  on  that 
account,  still  I  was  a  little  anxious,  as  I  did  not  particularly 
long  to  be  present  at  a  naval  combat.  A  cable  parted  on  board 
of  the  man-of-war,  Hlonde,  and  knocked  four  sailors  into  the 
sea.  One  of  them  was  rescued,  but  the  other  three  were 
drowned. 

.  On  the  9th,  we  had  come  a  thousand  sea  miles,  estimated 
at  a  third  part  of  our  voyage. 

On  the  10th  and  11th,  we  had  a  good  wind,  and  on  the  latter 
day  we  coiled  up  a  knot  every  hour  (i.  e.  a  sea  mile;  thus 
called  on  account  of  the  knots  in  the  line  with  which  they 
reckon  the  sea  miles).  There  was  divine  service  held  this  day, 
and  a  parade  of  all  the  soldiers. 

On  the  12th,  we  had  good  weather,  but  the  wind  was  not 
propitious  for  us. 

On  the  13th,  it  was  better;  and  on  the  14th,  changeable, 
and  accompanied  by  such  a  thick  fog,  that  it  was  necessary  in 
the  night  to  blow  trumpets  to  warn  off  the  other  ships,  that, 
otherwise,  might  have  approached  too  near  our  own. 

On  the  15th,  it  rained  the  whole  day,  and  was  very  cold. 
Still,  the  wind  remained  good  until  noon,  when  it  changed; 
and,  from  the  16th  to  the  21st,  wc  experienced  contrary  winds, 


"I 

'tl 


Hh. 


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w^^^sW 


m 


72 


LKTTEns  ANJ)  JOVItXALS 


.'■<( 


J! 


f 


accouipanicd  by  most  disagreeable  and  cold  weather.  A  still 
worse  circumstance,  however,  was,  that  the  captain  of  the 
Blonde  —  one  of  the  nicn-of-war  attached  to  our  convoy  —  who 
never  had  been  in  this  region,  had  run  too  far  northerly,  thereby 
carrying  us  back  some  five  hundred  sea  miles,  and  obliging  us 
to  wait  for  a  north  wind  to  take  us  to  the  bauks  of  Newfound- 
land. 

On  the  22d,  we  had  a  full  moon,  and  with  it  we  received  a 
good  wind,  which  brightened  every  countenance. 

On  the  28d,  the  wind  was  changeable.  AVe  saw  the  banks, 
but  could  not  yet  reach  them.  I  was  reminded  of  the  fox  and 
the  bunch  of  grapes  in  the  fable,  and  came  near  weeping.  We 
had  now  been  five  weeks  at  sea,  and  had  only  made  sixteen 
hundred  and  sixty  miles.  Besides,  it  was  so  misty,  that  the 
men-of-war  fired  a  cannon  every  hour,  to  gviard  against  the  other 
ships  losing  themselves. 

One  of  the  ships,  called  the  Silver  Eel,  lost  licr  main-mast, 
and  in  the  night,  with  the  Porpoise,  .separated  from  us ;  a 
circumstance^that  caused  me  some  uneasiness,  as  my  entire 
baggage,  and  my  husband's  wine  and  regimentals  were  on  board 
of  that  ship.     Neither  did  these  ships  rejoin  us  until  the  30th. 

On  the  24th,  we  had  truly  good  weather,  but  still  a  contrary 
wind :  it  was  so,  also,  on  the  23th. 

Orj  the  2Gth,  we  were  favored  with  a  fair  wind,  and  arrived 
without  mishap  on  the  banks  of  Newfoundland.  The  ship's 
cook  caught  a  heavy  cod-fish,  and  brought  it  to  me.  The  cap- 
tain of  our  ship,  who  was  an  old  and  intimate  friend  of  Madame 
Foy  and  took  it  ill  that  he  had  not  given  it  to  her,  snatched  it 
out  of  his  hands,  and  threw  it  again  into  the  sea.  I,  however, 
gave  the  good  man  a  guinea  for  his  kind  intention.  AVe  caught 
nothing  more  the  whole  day,  but  I  had  my  triumph  when,  soon 
after,  the  captain  of  the  Porpoise  sent  me  four  cod-fish,  bound 
on  a  board,  to  which  some  one  had  fastened  a  string  for  safety, 
in  case  our  captain  should  again  throw  them  overboard !  I 
treated  the  entire  ship's  crew  to  them,  as  if  nothing  had  previ- 


y 


\L 


.'1 


OF  ynts.  (IKNKIIAL  lUF.DKHKl. 


73 


ously  occurred,  upon  wliicli  the  captain,  at  least,  seemed  ashamed 
of  tlie  rudeness  with  whicii  he  liad  treated  me. 

The  above  mentioned  incident,  was  not  the  only  unpleasant- 
ness which  Madame  Foy  iccasioned  me.  I  had  much  more 
reason  to  regret  that  I  took  her  with  me ;  for  her  sister,  who 
was  again  with  her,  did  not  conduct  herself  in  the  best  manner, 
and  was,  besides,  very  willful ;  and  Madame  Foy's  old  intimacy 
with  the  captain  of  our  ship,  of  which  I  have  before  spoken, 
v^as  the  reason  of  her  not  daring  to  refuse  him  those  liberties 
to  which  he  had  formerly  been  accustomed.  Another  thing 
whicli  rendered  it  unpleasant  was,  that  her  chambermaid,  a  most 
beautiful  creature,  had  accompanied  her  on  this  journey  solely 
for  the  sake  of  leaving  a  country  where  she  was  already  too 
much  known,  and  of  finding  among  the  sailors  such  licentious 
friends  as  she  was  best  pleased  with.  One  day  it  happened 
that  the  captain's  wine  store  was  stolen,  and  my  poor  jiiger, 
llockel,  was  accused  of  it.  I  felt  deeply  for  this  honest  man. 
Fortunately,  however,  it  chanced  that  one  night  as  Mademoi- 
selle Nancy  (this  was  the  name  of  the  above  mentioned 
chambermaid)  was  just  on  the  point  of  mousing  the  wine,  the 
ship  gave  a  sudden  lurch,  and  threw  her  down  with  two  bottles 
in  her  hand.  Upon  this,  she  gave  a  loud  scrcani,  which  brought 
every  one  to  her  on  the  run,  and  her  theft  was  discovered. 
She  justified  herself  on  the  ground,  that  the  chief  of  the  sol- 
diers had  bidden  her  to  procure  him  wine.  This  man  was  an 
old  tippler,  who  often  passed  the  night  with  her  in  my  fore- 
chamber,  especially  on  Saturday,  when  it  was  the  ship's 
fashion  to  spend  the  evening  in  drinking  the  health  of  wives 
and  sweethearts.  Fortunately,  I  had  made  friends  with  the 
lieutenant,  the  old  under  oflicers,  and  the  helmsman,  by  sharing 
my  meal  with  their  wives  and  children.  These  persons,  there- 
fore, came  to  me  one  night  when  the  maid  and  her  lover  were 
conducting  themselves  very  wantonly,  and  assured  me  that 
they  pitied  me,  but  that  they  had  risen  quickly,  and  if  these 
dissolute  people  had  come  too  near  me,  they  would  have  been 
10 


H^-!, 


I'flif^ 


III 
III 


74 


LKTTEUS  AM)  Jor/.WALS 


■S  ■• 


III 


\/ 


able  to  come  at  once  to  my  asHistunco.  They  promised  me, 
also,  that  they  would  stand  guard  over  this  place  every  Saturday. 
This  courtesy  composed  me  much  at  the  time,  and,  subseijuently, 
greatly  assisted  me  in  preserving  calmness. 

The  27th,  28th,  and  29th,  we  had  good  wind  and  beautiful 
weather.  The  ship,  Ulondo,  caught  one  hundred  fish.  A  large 
portion  of  them  were  cod-fish,  some  of  which  weighed  fifty 
pounds,  and  were  very  fine.  They  were  liung  around  the  ship 
by  their  mouths,  their  entrails  taken  out,  and  the  sockets  of 
the  eyes  tilled  with  salt :  in  this  way  they  were  nicely  preserved 
for  a  long  time. 

On  the  30th,  wo  had  the  most  beautiful  weather  in  the 
world,  but  a  calm.  It  was  a  magnificent  sight  to  see  some 
thirty  ships  upon  the  open  sea,  which  was  as  clear  as  a  mirror. 
IJy  this  time,  we  had  passed  the  Great  Bank,  and  liad  made  in 
all,  twenty-one  hundred  and  twenty-one  leagues  —  over  two- 
thirds  of  our  journey.  We  saw  a  large  number  of  whales  very 
close  to  our  ship,  among  which  were  several  young  ones,  thirty- 
five  to  forty  feet  in  length. 

On  the  31st,  we  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  the  first  land, 
which  is  called  Chapeau  Kouge.  My  heart  beat  for  joy.  In 
the  afternoon  we  passed  the  island  St.  Pierre. 

The  1st  of  June,  the  weather  was  rainy,  but  the  wind  fair. 

On  the  2d,  we  had,  first,  a  calm,  then  a  good  wind,  and 
passed  the  island  St.  Paul,  and  Cape  Breton. 

On  the  3d,  we  came  into  the  gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  and  saw  the 
Port  islands,  which  are  great  cliff's.  It  was  the  birthday  of  my 
husband,  and  my  heart  was  filled  with  a  mixture  of  joy  and 
sadness,  and  with  a  longing  to  see  him  soon,  after  all  the  delays, 
to  hold  him  in  my  arms,  and  to  deliver  over  to  him  our  dear 
children. 

On  the  4th,  we  entered  the  river  St  Lawrence,  and  saw 
mountains  upon  the  left  hand.  We  met  a  large  number  of 
ships  that  wore  on  their  way  back  to  Europe;  but  the  wind  was 
,so  strong  that  we  could  not  speak  with  them.     Many  on  board  of 


OF  MRS.  (.KXh'/i'A/.   ItlKliKSKL. 


our  ves.scl  said  tlmt  thoy  hhw  sulilior.s  iijioii  tlioiii.  This  eaussiid 
111(3  inexpressible  pain  until  our  arrival ;  for  tiie  thouj^lit  of 
comin<i,'  into  a  strange  laud,  wliieli  my  husband  had,  perhaps,  just 
loft  on  liis  way  b:iek  to  Europe,  was  to  nie  dreadful. 

On  the  Stli,  we  passed  in  the  iiij^ht  the  island  of  Anticosti. 

On  the  0th.  we  actually  saw  land  and  mountains,  and,  by  this 
time,  had  plaeed  at  our  backs  twi  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
sixty  leagues.  My  impatience  increased  with  every  day,  and  I 
sought  to  drive  it  away  by  work.  T  liad  already,  during  the 
voyage,  embroidered  a  double  night-eap  i'or  my  husband,  two 
purses,  and  seven  caps  for  myself  and  the  children,  and  had 
made  in  addition,  many  other  little  things. 

On  the  7th,  wc  had  a  contrary  wind  ;  but  on  the  8th,  it  was 
good,  and  we  had  only  to  make  a  hundred  and  sixty  leagues 
before  reaching  Quebec. 

On  the  yth,  we  were  becalmed,  and  anchored  at  the  island 
I'ot  de  Brando. 

On  the  10th,  at  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  anchor  was 
weighed;  and  we  were  now  safely  over  all  the  dangerous  places. 
It  is  a  ravishing  sight  to  see  both  >ides  of  the  shore  at  this 
place — the  houses,  the  great  cataract  at  Montmorency,  and 
then  Quebec,  which  we  came  in  sight  of  at  ten  o'clock,  on  the 
morning  of  the  llth.  The  throbbing  heart-joy,  which  the  first 
sight  of  this  ardently  wished  for  termination  of  our  journey 
gave  me,  made  all  my  limbs  tremble.  (Quebec,  upon  first  coming 
into  view,  appeared  (juito  handsi'iiie,  and,  surveying  the  wliule 
prospect,  I  recalled  the  beautiful  description  which  Eniilie 
Montague  has  given  of  it  in  her  letters,  and  which  I  found 
very  accurate.*     The  city  of  Quebec  itself,  however,  is  as  dirty 


*  Miulnmc  ile  IliodcHel  mcuiiH  Mrs.  HrookesV  Emily  Mfmltujiie.  Thu  aiitluir  ol  llio 
TrarelK  titrouijh  the  I\itti'hir  I'art  of  Aiiif  rica,  in  a  S'frief  ■'!'  Letters  (Lioiildimnt 
Anburcy)  who  liad  roatlu'il  (iiu'bof  l)nt  a  IVw  iiioiitli;*  bt'l'oi'  Madamo  do  Kiudcsel, 
thiiuijflit,  that,  in  c.oiisoqiu'iioo  of  tlio  dmastiitioiis  occasioned  diii'ini,'  tlio  last  sioi;e, 
(iilol)i'C  '  would  l).v  III)  moans  answer  llie  lieantilnl  deseriplioii  j,'iven  liy  tiie  oleijant 
writer,  Mrs.  IJroolies,  in  lier  Einilij  Muntuyiie,  Vol.  1,  p.  IM."—Sute  of  the  trann- 
lutor,  in  the  trunalatioii  of  1S-J~. 


^i- 


n  'Mrfl''^ 


70 


IKTTKnS  A.Sn  JOURyALS 


as  possible,  and  very  incomiiiodious,  for  one  is  obliged  to  ascend 
a  great  mountain  in  going  through  the  streets.  There  are,  also, 
few  handsome  houses,  hut  the  inhabitants  are  polite  people. 
While  we  were  anchoring,  an  ineidentoccurredthatgave  mo  great 
satisfaction.  Our  ship's  captain,  who  was  a  good  man  in  other 
respects,  but  who  had  been  seduced,  through  his  relations  with 
Madame  Foy  into  behaving  rudely  toward  me,  came  and  begged 
my  forgiveness,  at  the  same  time  praying  for  my  intercession 
to  prevent  the  impressment  of  his  sailors.  It  was  the  practice 
to  examine  every  ship  on  its  arrival,  to  see  how  nuiny  sailors  it 
possessed ;  and  if  it  was  thought  that  there  were  too  many  on 
board,  a  portion  of  them  were  taken  away  to  the  king's  ships. 
I  used  my  solicitations  for  him,  and  was  so  fortunate  as  to  have 
them  granted. 

When  it  was  known  in  Quebec  that  I  was  ncaring  the  city,  I 
was  saluted  with  cannon  by  all  the  ships  in  the  harbor;  and 
at  twelve  o'clock,  noon,  we  saw  a  boat  approaching  us,  contain- 
ing twelve  sailors  dressed  in  white,  and  wearing  silver  helmets 
and  green  sashes.  These  seamen  had  been  sent  to  fetch  me 
from  the  ship,  and  they  brought  me  a  letter  from  my  husband, 
in  which  he  wrote  that  he  had  boon  obliged  to  set  out  for  the 
army.  This  news  greatly  grieved  and  frightened  me,  but  I 
resolved,  at  the  same  time,  to  follow  him,  even  if  I  should  be 
with  him  only  for  a  few  days.  I  seated  myself,  with  my  entire 
family,  in  the  boat,  in  which  I  begged  permission  to  take  also 
Madame  Foy  and  her  sister.  This  request  was  granted;  and  I 
thus  had  the  satisfaction  of  making  them  ashamed  of  the  trouble 
they  had  occasioned  me.  At  last  we  safely  landed  after  much 
yearning  desire  and  an  eight  weeks'  voyage,  at  about  one  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon.  When  we  reached  land,  I  found  a  little 
carryall  with  one  horse.  This  was  the  equipage  of  Mrs.  Grcneral 
Carleton,  which  was  sent  with  an  earnest  invitation  to  come 
and  dine  with  her,  and  also  to  lodge  at  her  house.  I  accepted 
the  first,  only,  as  I  wished  to  follow  my  husband  at  once.  At 
the  General's,  I  was  received  by  all  with  I'riendship.    [ndeed  they 


nK  Mils.  (iKSKltXI.  ItlEDKsEL. 


77 


did  not  Hcom  to  know  how  tlioy  hIiouM  Hufficiontly  oxpre««  their 
joy  at  my  nrrivul,  which  tlicy  assured  nie  would  nmke  my  hus- 
band very  liappy.  Mrs.  General  Carleton,  upon  hearing,'  of  the 
fleet's  arrival,  and  of  my  bcinj,'  with  it,  had  been  so  thouj-litful 
as  to  send  off  immediately  a  courier  to  her  consort,  to  apprize 
him  of  my  arrival,  in  order  that  he  might  rejoice  my  husband 
with  the  news.  The  ladies  were  astonished  at  seeinj^  me  dressed 
like  an  Knglish  woman;  for  having  seen  our  soldiers'  wives* 
arrive  dres.sed  in  waist-coats,  short  cloaks,  and  roiuid  caps 
with  flebbe  ;  f  tliey  suppo.sed  that  this  was  the  German  custom. 
The  Canadian  fashion  for  a  woman's  dress  is  a  very  long  cloak 
of  scarlet  cloth.  The  rich  wear  them  of  silk,  and  without  this 
garment  they  never  go  out.  The  latter  wear  in  addition,  a 
kind  of  worsted  cap  with  great  colored  loops  of  ribbon,  which, 
by  the  way,  distinguishes  the  nobility  from  the  other  classes. 
Indeed,  the  nobility  pride  themselves  so  much  upon  this  head- 
dre.s8,  that  they  could  tear  it  from  any  native  woman  of  plebeian 
rank,  who  should  dare  to  adorn  lierself  with  it.  The  large 
cloaks  often  conceal  very  bad  and  dirty  clothes.  They  wear, 
also,  in  addition,  an  under-petticoat,  and  jackets  with  long 
sleeves;  and  when  they  go  out,  they  wear  upon  their  heads 
large  capes  which  cover  the  whole  head  and  face,  and  in  winter 
are  wadded  with  feathers. 

At  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  we  .sat  down  to  table  at  Mrs. 
General  Carleton's. 


*  Tlie  niimher  of  wives  of  Brunswick  soldlora  tliat  accompniiied  their  Imsliands 
to  America,  was  seventy-seven. 

+  A  liind  of  worsted  or  clotli  ornament,  coming  down  from  eacii  side  of  tlie  cai) 
over  tlie  ears,  very  similar  to  the  dogs'  ears  of  the  school-boys'  caps  in  winter  at 
the  present  day. 


V*i 


If" 


EXTllACT  FROM   A   LKTTRR  OF    GENERAL 
UIKDESEL  TO  HIS  WIFK. 


iSt.  John,  Jiiuf  Viit/i,  1777. 

You  are  welcome,  my  dear  iinj^ol,  to  the  ('uiiiuliaii  continent ! 
I  littd  just  seated  myselt'  at  table  with  the  other  jrenerals,  at 
General  Phillips's,  when  the  courier  arrived  with  the  delij;htful 
intollif^ence,  that  the  fleet  from  Portsmouth  was  already  at  the 
Isle  do  Bee,  within  siyht  of  Quebec;  and  that  they  already 
had  the  news,  that  you  with  the  three  children,  wore  on  board, 
safe  and  well.  You  must,  therefore,  without  doubt,  have 
arrived  in  Quebec  the  same  eveninj;'  that  the  letter  was  written. 

The  whole  company  expressed  a  common  joy  at  the  intelli- 
gence, and  drank  deeply  to  your  auspicious  arrival.  The  share 
which  they  all  took  in  my  good  fortune  gave  me  additional 
pleasure.  I  only  wished  that  you  had  arrived  eight  days  sooner, 
as  I  then  would  have  had  the  happiness  of  seeing  you;  for  I 
had  intended,  in  case  I  heard  of  your  arrival  before  passing 
down  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  to  return,  and  sec  and  embrace 
you.  Now,  however,  it  is  too  late,  as  I  cannot  go  back.  Mean- 
while, dear  wife,  let  us  have  patience  ;  our  separation  shall  not 
last  long,  only,  indeed,  until  you  can  join  me  with  somewhat  of 
security,  tranquility  and  comfort.  As  our  correspondence  can 
now  be  conducted  with  regularity,  I  beg  you  to  keep  for  me  a 
kind  of  diary  of  what  you  and  the  children  do  daily ;  and  in 
order  that  we  may  each  know  what  the  t)ther  does,  I  herewith 
begin  mine. 

At  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  June  5th,  I  left  Three 


I.FirKHs    \Mi  .till HSM.S. 


n 


Rivors;*  took  dinner  at  Kivioro  do  lioiip,  at  the  parHoniigo ; 
and  Hlo[it  lit  MiiHsiiioiijjo,  wlicro  I  ariivod  vory  tired.  On  tho 
Otli,  I  wont  to  Mortliitnix,  wlioro  I  dined  at  nottn.  In  the  after- 
noon, [  was  lorried  over  tlie  river  St.  liiiwrenec!  in  a  ninot 
i/'irorre  (a  Itoat  nia<l(!  alter  the  fashion  of  tliis  country,  of  tlio 
bark  of  a  tree),  and  took  up  my  (juartors  for  tlie  night  at  tho 
parsonage  in  Sorol. 

On  tiio  7tli,  [  Hot  out  ahout  six  o'clock  in  tlio  morning,  and 
at  noon,  dined  at  St.  J)onis  witli  Lieutenant  Colonel  Spoclit,  of 
our  troops,  and  arrived  in  tho  evening  at  Chambly. 

On  the  8th,  both  tho  battalioihs,  Pernor  and  Urcyman, 
marched  to  St.  Jolm,  and  two  others  came  in  their  place.  My 
equipage  was  not  able  to  follow  me  so  (juickly,  »  circumstnnco 
that  made  nic  feel  rather  i'orlorn,  as  1  hud  nothing  to  out  or 
drink.  It  finally  arrived  in  tho  evening.  Tho  transportation 
of  tho  troops  over  the  river  St.  fiuwreneo  gave  me  considerable 
annoyance;  but,  at  length,  it  was  all  happily  accomplished. 

On  the  loth,  1  entertained  (icneral  Phillips  at  my  ((uarters; 
and  on  the  11th,  General  IJurgoyue  breakfasted  with  me.  At 
noon  of  the  same  day,  I  set  out  from  ("hambly  for  St.  John, 
and  on  the  way,  dined  at  St.  Theroso  with  Colonel  Mackenzie. 

On  the  11th,  I  dined  at  noon,  with  (Jeneral  Phillips,  in  com- 
pany witli  Generals  Carleton  and  Hurgoyne,  and  then  it  was 
that  [  was  made  so  happy  by  learning  of  your  arrival.  I 
therefore  hope  now  soon  to  learn,  through  a  letter  from  you,  of 
every  thing  that  occurred  to  you  and  yours,  during  the  Journey. 
To-day,  or  early  to-morrow  morning,  1  set  out  for  Crown  Point. 
You  shall  hear  from  me  as  often  as  I  can  snatch  a  moment  for 
writing. 


♦The  iiiiiDuiit  of  fcrritory  occupied  as  \viiitor(|inirl('r!<  by  llic  (Jcnimii  trooiis, 
was,  an  is  hi'i'ii  in  a  I'Dniii'r  luitc,  niiirli  (oo  lai'^'O  I'or  tlic  imiiiln'i-  ol'  troops.  'I'lioso 
of  tlic  nriiiiswiikcrs  —  only  i-ix-i  in  all  —  oocnplcd  a  liohl  ol' no  luss  than  tliiily- 
thrce  (icnnan  niili's.  Thrc(^  Itivcrs.  wlilcli  was  tho  lii'a(l-(iiiart('r«  of  tlic,  (ii'iinan 
troops  (lurinji  their  winter  eanlonnient,  was  tlie  smallest  of  the  llirei^  prinelpal 
Canadian  towns,  and  coiinled  at  this  lime  about  two  Inindred  and  lll'ly  houses, 
with  twelve  hundred  inhabilanls.  TIk^  eliief  buildinfjs  were,  a  eonvent  of  the 
Anautftiue  friars,  and  an  EiiLjlisli  barracks,  eai)able  of  holdinij  live  hundred  men. 


V- 


■  '■wrfv^fTKPmirummmm 


wmmmmmmm^mm 


S(l 


LETTERS  AM)  JOUI/XALK 


Farewell !  Hug  our  three  dear  children  right  heartily  for  me. 
I  hope  yo.r  money  has  not  given  out.  At  Quebec,  you  can 
obtain  on  my  credit  as  much  as  you  may  wish ;  and  at  Three 
Rivers,  you  will  find  the  paymaster  of  our  army,  Godeckc,  who 
will  give  you  as  much  money  as  you  may  need.  Once  more,  my 
love,  farewell !  God  escorts  us  as  he  has  done  hitherto.  Write 
me  soon,  and  rest  assured  that  I  shall  remain  wholly  your  own  for 
all  time.* 


*  This  letter  wns  not  rocoived  by  Mrs.  Ricdesel  at  the  tin\e,  as  she  had  again  set 
out  from  Quel)cc.  tlint  she  mif,'ht  overtake  her  Imsljrtiul  aB  quickly  as  poseihle. 


COXTIXUATTON  OF  MRS.  GEXERAL 
RIEDESEL'S  DTAE  V . 


The  same  Captain  Pownel,  who,  as  I  have  already  irentioned, 
brou^lit  my  husband  to  Canada,  tendered  his  services  to  bring 
me  by  water  to  Voiui  dc  Tremble;  and  a  IMrs.  Johnson  oifered, 
also,  to  acfohipany  me.  About  six  o'clock  in  the  evening  of 
the  11th  of  Juno  (the  same  day  that  I  arrived  in  Quebec j,  we 
embarked  on  board  one  of  the  men-of-war's  boats ;  and  at  mid- 
night arrived  at  a  place  seven  English  miles  from  Quebec, 
liaving  had  with  us  all  the  way,  the  most  beautiful  moonlight, 
and  a  splendid  band  of  music.  I  put  my  children  to  bed ;  and 
the  rest  of  us  sat  up  and  drank  tea  together. 

On  the  12th,  at  half  past  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  we  a<'aiu 
set  out  in  three  calashes,  which  are  a  kind  of  light  clniise  or  carry- 
all, very  sniali  and  -uicomfortable,  but  very  fast.  I  could  not 
bring  my  hcait  to  l  -ust  a  single  one  of  my  children  to  my 
women  servants;  a-'.d  as  our  calashes  were  open  and  very  small, 
I  bound  ly  cor.d  daughter,  Fredcrica,  fast  in  one  corner; 
took  the  youngest,  little  Caroline,  on  my  lap;  while  my  oldest, 
Gustava,  as  tiie  most  discreet,  sat  between  my  feet  on  my  purse. 
I  knew  that  if  i  wdidd  reach  my  husband  I  had  no  time  to 
lose,  as  he  was  constantly  on  the  march.  1  therefore  promised 
a  reward  to  the  servants  if  they  would  drive  me  fast,  and  con- 
sequently we  always  went  as  (quickly  as  the  vehicles  and  horses 
would  allow.  The  (Janadians  are  everlastingly  talking  to  their 
horses,  and  giving  tiiem  all  kimls  of  names.  Thus,  when  they 
wore  not  cither  laslnag  their  horses  or  singing,  they  cried, 
11 


71 


•^f 


S-2 


l.FTTEHS  AM)  .KHIISM.S 


AlliiiDi  1110)1  Print 


Ptiitr  mon  (liiicra/ .' "     Oftoncr,  liow- 


evcr,  they  said,  "  Fi,  ilaitc,  Madamt' !  "  I  thought  tluit  this  hist 
was  desigucd  for  me.  and  asked,  "  I'/aii'-ii?"  "  Oh,"  replied  the 
driver,  "  <-r  n'cst  qiK  man  rhrca/,  In  prtitr  roqninr  !  "  ("  ft  is  only 
the  little  jade,  my  horse!")  At  every  place  through  which  1 
passed,  the  peasants  greeted  me,  and  cried,  "  Voild  la  femmr 
(/(•  noire  chtr  i/rncad  .'  " — treating  me,  at  the  same  rime,  with 
great  affection.  Especially  was  I  rejoiced  to  see  my  liusband 
so  beloved  on  every  hand,  and  to  have  them  all  say  to  me,  "  Oh 
'ju'il  arrd  content!  Cumhicn  il  a  2^(vle  iJc  vons  !  Oh,  qu'ii  runa 
(time  :  "  (  "  Oh,  how  delighted  he  will  be!  How  often  he  has 
talked  about  you!  Oh,  how  he  loves  you!")  In  the  after- 
noon 1  came  to  ]3erfhicux,  where  I  Avas  assured  that  no  calash 
was  to  ))e  had,  and  thai  1  wcmld  be  obliged  to  make  use  of  a 
boat,  or  rather,  a  very  light  canoe,  made  of  the  bark  of  a  tree. 
I  begged  and  implored,  ai.d  offered  money  upon  money  for  a 
calash;  for  it  was  Inn-rible  weather,  and  T  had  to  pass  the  three 
rivers,  which  cross  each  other,  and  lead  to  the  village  of  Three 
Rivers.  But  it  was  all  of  no  avail,  since  they  preteudod  to 
consider  these  ferries  as  a  regular  post  route,  and  wished  to 
make  money  out  of  an  ignorant  foreigner.  There  remained, 
therefore,  nothing  I'arthcr  for  me  to  do  than  to  embark.  Seated 
on  the  bottom  of  the  canoe  in  one  corner,  T  had  my  three 
children  upon  my  lap,  while  my  three  servants  sat  on  the  other 
side.  We  were  obliged,  at  considerable  trouble,  to  preserve 
our  exact  e((uilibrium,  the  necessity  of  whicli,  however,  I  did 
not  learn  from  our  boatman,  until  we  were  overtaken  by  a  severe 
hail  storm ;  whereupon  my  daughter,  little  Frederica,  became 
alarmed,  screamed,  and  wanted  to  jump  up  Then  it  was  that 
the  boatman  told  me  tliat  the  canoe  would  be  overturned  by 
even  the  slightest  movement.  I  was  obliged,  therefore,  to  hold 
her  very  firmly,  and  not  mind  her  cries;  and  in  this  manner, 
we  finally  arrived  the  same  evening  a1  Three  Rivers  in  safety, 
where  our  officers  clapped  their  hands  over  their  licads  for  joy  ; 
and  I.  bv  thismanifc^station.  first  learned  the  danger  which  I  had 


OF  MU-i.    i,ESF.I!.\l.    lUF.ItF.sEl.. 


sa 


risked.  'J' wo  iiiiiitleiiion.  vvliilc  L'iiL!,aged  in  fisliiiiu,  luid  Ijuen  iiver- 
taken  by  a  sturin,  wliiidi  upset  their  canoe,  and  they  both  were 
drowned.  I  tliaiiked  God  that  1  luvd  accomplished  the  passage  so 
successfully,  aud  yet  it  was  not  pleasinj.^  to  nie  to  know  of  my  dan- 
ficr,  for  this  vm'y  knowledjie,  ever  afterward,  rendered  me  timid 
in  crossing  the  smallest  river,  even  in  the  most  heautil'ul  weather. 
The  grand  vicar  had  no  sooner  heard  (if  my  arrival,  tlian  he 
at  once  called  upon  me.  He  had  conceived  a  great  aft'ectiou 
for  my  hushand,  who  had  s[ient  the  entire  winter  in  this  town, 
and  lie  increased  still  more  my  eagerness  to  follow  him  as  soon 
as  possible,  by  all  that  he  related  of  his  tender  love  and  appre- 
hension for  US,  ami  his  solicitude  on  account  of  our  journey. 
He  said  that  my  husband  had  been  sick,  whi(;h  he  felt  assured, 
liad  been  caused  by  his  distress  at  having  been  obliged  to  set 
out  without  seeing  us;  especially  as  he  had  been  thrown  into 
great  anguish  of  mind  by  constant,  though  hajtpily,  false  reports. 
For  example,  he  had  heard  that  a  lady,  who  had  embarked  with 
three  children,  had  gone  down  with  the  ship;  and  again,  that 
I  had  actually  sailed,  but  had  become  so  frightened  as  to  have 
repented  of  my  resolution,  and  caused  myself  to  be  set  ashore. 
J  was,  therefore,  more  strongly  than  ever  fixed  in  my  determi- 
nation to  liasttMi  my  journey  in  every  possible  wa\  ;  and  I 
immediately  sent  ahead  an  e.xpres.s  to  my  husband,  aj>pri/ing 
liim  of  oui  coming.  As  the  horrible  weather  still  continued, 
the  grand  vicar  liad  the  kindness  to  oH'er  me  a  covered  calash, 
which  I  accepted,  and  departed  in  it  the  following  morning  at 
six  o'clock.  This  vehiile  went  so  rapidly,  that  1  could  scarcely 
recover  my  breatli,  and  in  addition  to  which  I  was  so  jolted 
about  (as  I  was  const.intly  obliged  to  Imld  my  children),  that  I 
was  completely  beaten  to  pieces.  I  was,  therefore,  obliged  at 
every  post  station,  to  stretch  out  my  arms  and  walk  around  a  little, 
to  render  my  joints  more  lindjer.  In  guing  to  Ohambly,  where  it 
was  possible  that  my  hushand  still  was,  T  had  to  choose  one  of  two 
roads.  I  took  the  one  tlr.ough  .Montreal,  where  I  .'irrivcd  >in  the 
evening  of  tlui  llltli ;  passed  the  night  tliere;  and  set  out  iIk'  next 


84 


LETTtms  .[.\J)  Joun.WM.S 


ti- 


morninj:,'  very  early,  that  I  might  sec  my  husband  as  soon  as 
possible.  I  reached  Chanibly  on  the  liUh,  and  innnediately 
eanght  sight  of  a  group  if  dfficers,  and  our  coaclunan.  whom  my 
husband  liad  left  there.  I  at  once  ran  to  him  and  asked  where 
my  hnsband  was?  "He  lias  driven  over  to  Berthieux,"  he 
rei)licd,  "to  meet  you"  (  Uerthieux  was  fifteen  English  miles 
off!)  Then  I  saw  that  I  had  chosen  the  wrotig  road,  and  liad 
consequently  missed  him.  Upon  this,  General  Carleton,  who 
W'as  among  the  above  mentioned  party  of  officers,  came  up, 
and  assured  me  that  my  husband  would  be  back  at  the  latest 
on  the  following  day.  He,  thereupon,  took  his  departure  and 
went  back  to  Quebec,  after  liaving  delivered  over  the  command 
of  the  troops  to  (ieneral  Burgoyno.  An  adjutant  of  my  hus- 
band remained  witli  me,  and  I  awaited  the  following  day  —  tlic 
15th  of  June  —  with  impatience.  My  children  and  my  faithful 
Ilockel  kept  u  constant  watch  on  the  high  road,  that  they  might 
bring  me  news  of  my  husband's  arrival.  Finally,  a  calash  was 
descried  having  a  Canadian  in  it.  I  saw  from  a  distance  the 
calash  stop  still,  the  Canadian  get  out,  come  nearer,  and  fold 
the  children  in  his  arms.  It  was  my  husband !  As  he  still 
had  the  fever,  lie  was  clothed  (althougii  it  was  summer)  in  a 
sort  ol'  cassock  of  woolen  cloth  bordered  with  ribbons,  and  to 
which  was  attached  a  variegated  fringe  of  blue  and  red,  ai'ter 
the  Canadian  fashion  of  the  country.  My  joy  was  beyond  all 
description,  but  the  sick  and  feeble  appearance  of  my  husband 
terrified  me,  and  a  little  disheartened  nie.  I  found  both  my 
oldest  daughters  in  tears  —  Gustava  for  joy  at  again  seeing  her 
father,  and  little  Frederica  because  she  saw  him  in  this  plight. 
For  this  reason  she  would  not  go  to  him  at  all,  but  said,  "  No, 
no!  this  is  a  nasty  papa;  my  papa  is  pretty  I  "  This  conduct 
arose  from  the  fact,  that  I  had  often  shown  her  the  picture  of 
her  father,  and  had,  at  those  times,  said  that  he  had  handsome 
clothes.  8he  was,  therefore,  not  prepared  for  him  in  this 
costume.  'J'lic  very  moment.  how(.\er,  that  he  threw  off  his 
Canadian  coat,  she  tenderly  embraced  him. 


ill 


(tl<'  Mlts.  /:!■:. Mat  At.   HIKDESEI.. 


85 


My  husband  int'oniied  inc.  that  as  lie  was  on  liis  way  to  meet 
us,  he  had,  in  order  to  rest  himself  a  little,  taken  dinner  with 
Colonel  Anstrnther,  and  had  then  learned,  that  a  woman  had 
just  arrived  I'roni  Berthieux.  lie  at  once  Inid  her  brouj:^lit  in, 
and  asked  her  whether  there  was  any  news  at  that  place  ? 
"  Nothinjj,'  more,"  she  replied,  "  than  that  a  German  woman 
with  three  children  had  arrived,  who,  they  say,  is  the  wife  of  a 
German  general."  "  How  many  children  did  you  say?  "  ((uickly 
asked  my  husband.  "Three,"  answered  she.  After  this  last 
answer,  he  did  not  desire  to  know  more,  particularly  as  he  had 
been  made  happy  by  learning  that  all  of  his  three  children 
lived,  and  had  arrived  ;  for  he  had  heard  nothing  from  us  the 
whole  winter,  as  our  ships  were  the  first  ones  which  had  arrived 
this  year. 

We  remained  with  each  other  twi)  happy  days.  I  wished 
very  much  to  follow  my  husband,  but  he  would  not  agree  to  it. 
1  was  therefore  foi'ced,  to  my  great  sorrow,  to  go  back  to  Three 
Kivers,  where  I  suffered  yet  more  upon  witnessing  the  departure 
of  the  troops  against  the  enemy,  while  I,  with  my  children,  was 
obliged,  alone  and  deserted,  to  return  and  live  in  a  .strange 
land  among  unknown  people.  Sorrowful  and  very  much  cast 
down  1  traveled  back.  What  a  difference  between  tliis  jiMirncy 
and  that  which  I  had  made  a  little  while  beiore  I  Thi>  tiuir  I 
did  not  move  so  ({uickly;  for  at  every  post  station,  which  re- 
moved me  further  from  him  I  loved,  my  lieart  was  torn  open 
afresh. 

As  we  were  passing  through  a  wood,  1  saw.  .ill  at  once,  some- 
thing like  a  cloud  rise  uji  before  our  wagon.  We  were  at  first 
frightened,  until  we  discovered  tliat  it  was  a  flock  of  wild 
pigeons,  which  the}'  call  here  tourtriH  (turtle  dovosj,  and  which 
are  i'ound  in  such  numbers,  that  the  Canadian  lives  on  them  for 
more  than  six  weeks  at  a  (imc.  lie  goes  to  one  of  those  pigeon 
hunts  with  a  gun  loaded  with  the  snnillest  shot;  and  when  he 
comes  in  sight  of  them  he  makes  a  noise.  I'hev  then  ffy  uj), 
and  he  fires  inttt  the  midst  olthein,  generally  with  ('onsiderable 


-fi 


Hf*  I 


80 


/./■r/TK/.'s  AX/)  .Iiillt.WM.s 


liK'k  ;  \\)Y  soiiietiincs  he  wouiuls  two  iir  tlure  hundred,  wliicli 
lire  anevward  heaten  to  deatli  with  sticks.  TIic  Canadians  sell 
part  of  tlic  birds,  and  eat  tlie  rest,  niakini;  of  them  either  soups 
or  an  excellent  tasting  fricassee,  witli  cream  and  garlic.  At  this 
time  of  the  year  one  eats  them  every  where,  and  generally  meets 
with  kindness  from  the  inhabitants  of  the  country,  who,  for  the 
most  part,  live  in  good  houses  having  large  roduis  and  nice  bed 
curtains.  Kvei-y  house  has  a  spacious  entrance  liall,  ami,  at 
least,  three  or  four  apartments.  AVheii  a  Canadian  marries  ott" 
his  (laughter,  he  asks  liis  son-in-law  whether  he  intends  residing 
near  him  ;  ami  shcmld  his  a  .swer  be  in  the  allirmative,  he  builds 
him  a  house  ami  stable  lot  far  from  liis  own  dwelling ;  wliile, 
at  the  same  tiuie,  the  surroiniding  land  is  rendered  productive. 
In  this  way. both  the  cultivation  and  thepopiilatioiiof  the  country 
arc  greatly  increased.  'I'lie  houses  are  painti'd  white,  giving 
them  a  most  beautiful  look,  especially  if  seen  in  passing  through 
the  St.  liawrencc,  for  tlien  their  appearance,  in  the  distance,  is 
even  more  sjilendid.  Kach  dwelling  has  a  little  fruit  garden ; 
and  at  evening,  the  herds  returning  homeward  present  a  most 
charming  sight.  i'lvery  wlurt!  tlirougliout  th.is  country,  the 
cows,  as  well  as  swine,  are  driven  into  the  woods,  aiul  return  at 
a  given  time  to  be  milked.  J!ut  thoy  do  not  neglect  to  furnish  the 
ciittle  on  their  return  with  plenty  of  fodder ;  otherwise  they  w<uild 
remain  in  tiie  woods.  It  oi'ten  happens  that  a  sow  big  with  young, 
and  on  the  point  of  bringing  I'orth,  remains  away  until  her  deli- 
very is  accomplished,  and  then  returns  with  all  her  sucking  j)igs. 
If  they  were  conlined  in  pens  as  in  (Jcrmany,  they  would  die 
miserably,  'fhey  are  very  iiuarriilsome.  ami  appear  to  be  a  kind 
of  mixture  ol'  wild  and  tame  swine. 

I  came  back  to  Three  Rivers  very  sad  and  full  of  anxiety. 
My  invariable  society  was  the  grand-vicar,  and  his  so  called 
cousin.  As  such,  at  least,  she  had  been  introduced  to__  me  by 
my  husband.  She  was  good  humored  and  conversed  pleasantly. 
lie  had  the  siimc  (|ualities,  and  was  a  man  of  intellect.  T 
learned  afterward,  that  every  one  of  these  gentlemen  had  the 


iiF  MI!S.   liF.SF.IlM.   lllFDIiSEf,. 


87 


ssaiiio  kind  of  cousins  resiiliiij;'  witii  tliem,  wlio  acted  as  their 
housekeepers;  but  who,  in  order  to  avoid  scandal,  were  forced 
almost  every  year  to  absent  themselves  for  a  little  while,  on 
account  of  a  certain  cause. 

IJesides  these  acciuaintanccH,  1  had,  also,  the  convent  of 
Ursilines,  or  the  Sisters  of  Mercy,  whose  sole  occupation  is 
to  nurse  the  sick;  for  which  purpose  there  is  a  hospital  adjoin- 
ing the  establishment.  Upon  visiting  it  lor  the  first  time,  as  I 
was  passing  by  the  door  leading  into  the  Invalids'  Hall,  a  man 
caught  sight  of  me,  and,  throwing  himself  at  my  feet  besought 
me,  exclaiming — "Become  my  deliverer!  Cause  me  to  be 
killed,  tliat  1  may  return  to  Germany  I"  They  told  me  that  he 
was  mad.  I  gave  liim  feonu;thing,  and  got  away  as  soon  as 
possible. 

I  found  among  the  nuns  several  very  lovely  persons,  with 
whom  I  spent  m,i';j  pleasant  days.  They  had  loved  my  hus- 
band very  much ;  and  I  learned  that  he  had  often  sent  them 
wine  and  roast  meat.  Taking  the  hint  from  him  I  did  the 
same,  and  even  more;  for  1  ordered  my  dinner  to  be  brought 
into  the  convent,  and  eat  with  them.  The  company,  and  per- 
haps the  wine,  but  more  than  all,  the  wish  to  divert  me,  often 
enlivened  tliem  so  much,  that  they  would  dress  themselves  up 
and  dauce  a  kind  ol'  Cossack  dance,  dressing  me  up  at  the  same 
time  like  the  nuns.  A  young  novice,  who  luid  conceived  an  aftec- 
tion  especially  ibr  me.  traced  such  a  likeness  between  the  holy 
virg'.n  and  my.>elf,  dressed  in  nun's  apparel,  that  she  besought 
me  to  b(!conK>  a  nun  on  the  spot.  ••  liight  willingly,"  I  replied, 
"  if  you  rtil'  make  my  husband  the  prior,  so  that  he  can  live 
with  us."  8ne  was  so  inexperienced  that  she  believed  this  was 
possible.  8he  left  us.  and  shortly  afterward  we  ftiuud  her 
kneeling  before  a  crucifix,  and  thanking  (Jod  for  my  conversion. 
Soon  after  I  had  my  c'lildren  brought  in.  Little  Oustava  began 
to  weep,  as  soon  as  she  saw  me  in  this  costume,  and  said, ''  Dear 
mama  I  do  not  become  a  nun  I  beg  you  1  "  In  order  to  ([uiet 
my  children.  1  was  obliged  to  take  off  my  nun's  M]i))arel  quickly. 


1^ 


■.^^- 


hill  ' 

Uw  ■ 


88 


l.hriTHIts   AX/i  .lori/XMS 


N' 


■:... 


t' 


if 


In  this  convent  tlicre  was  also  a  scnninary  for  young  lailio.s,  who 
were  tau{;lit  all  kinds  of  work.  The  nuns  siny  ex(iuisitely ;  aiul 
as  tliey  sing  in  the  t-hoir  beliind  curtains,  one  might  readily 
imagine  it  to  be  the  song  of  angels, 

My  household  occu|iations  consisted  chiefly  in  taking  care  of 
my  children,  some  feminine  work,  and  a  little  book  reading. 
The  officers  who  had  been  left  behind  at  Tlueo  llivers  were  not 
amiable.  Among  them  was  an  ill-bred  payuiaster  general, 
whose  rude  behavior  toward  me  often  roused  my  indignation, 
and  redoubled  my  uneasiness.  As  I  waited  for  an  opportunity 
to  pay  for  my  passage  to  Captain  Arbuthnot,  wliom  T  daily 
expected  from  Jlontreal,*  T  i)resented  the  paymaster  with  an 
order  from  my  husband  to  pay  me  a  hundred  and  fifty  pounds 
sterling,  lln  refused  to  honor  it.  I  asked  liim  if  my  husband 
was  in  his  debt  for  any  amount  ?  '•  No,"  said  he,  "  he  has,  on  the 
contrary,  a  considerable  balance  yet  in  his  favor ; "  but  as  my 
husband  was  in  danger  and  might  any  day  be  killed,  he  thought 
it  advisable  to  act  with  deliberation.  I  was  exceedingly  pro- 
voked at  this  conduct,  and  told  him  that  1  was  too  much  vexed 
ever  again  to  apply  to  him;  but  I  knew  that  if  I  should  have 
the  misfortune  to  lose  my  husband,  there  would  still  be  coming 
to  mo  a  quarter  of  liis  yearly  allowance,  which  amounted  to 
considerable  more  than  the  sum  for  which  I  had  asked  him. 
"  Yes,  that  is  so,'  sneeringly  rejoined  he,  "  but  how  about  the 
pas.sagc-back?"  -'That,"  replied  I,  "  Heaven  will  take  care 
of;  "  and  I  never  again  allowed  myself  to  speak  with  him  on 
the  subject,  bu*^  went  to  an  English  paymaster,  who  gave  me 
not  only  the  sum  asked  for,  but  in  addition,  offered  to  give  me 
in  future  as  much  as  I  wished.  I  reported  the  whole  affair  to 
my  husband,  who  thereupon  became  very  angry,  wrote  liim  a 
letter  couched  in  very  strong  language,  and  gave  him  a  most 
imperative  injunction  to  pay  uie  just  as  much  as  I  wanted.  He 
now  became  more  courteous  ;  and  T  had  the  luck  to  advance  so 


♦111  Moutrcnl  tlicy  buy  fiir-skins  vci-y  clK'np.  to  sell  iifriiiii  in  Kii','laii(l  at  a  lii'avy 
advaiioi'-alnisiiicss  ilial  pays  well.— .V(//«  o/'  .1M<.  IHalnnl  in  llie  orUjimil. 


(IF  Mi!s.  (,/-;\/:-/,'.\/.  i;ii:i)i:sh:i.. 


80 


till'  into  liis  good  i;"-aces,  that  iil'tur  his  death  letters  were  found 
umonyhis  effects  I'roiii  his  wile,  in  wiiieh  she  wrote  him,  '■  Y'oii 
write  me  so  many  beantil'nl  thinjis  about  tlie  ^^eneral's  wile, 
that  you  make  me  ((uite  Jealous!"  Four  years  al'terward,  1 
had  the  satisfaction  <if  sendinj^  him,  durinj;  his  last  sickness,  all 
kinds  of  nice  things  for  his  comfort,  at  which  time  ho  sent  for  mo 
to  beg  my  forgiveness  for  having  treated  me  so  badly.  The 
speeches  of  this  man,  and  the  various  alarming  reports  that 
came  daily,  cast  me  down  exceedingly  and  embittered  my  life; 
especially  as  my  husband's  letters  often  miscarried;  for  al- 
though he  wrote  me  continually,  yet  when  they  f  illy  reached 
me,  they  were  old.  It  is  certain  that  we  iire  niore  apprehensive 
of  danger  befalling  those  we  love,  if  they  are  ab.sent,  than  if 
they  were  near  us.  I  therefore  wrote  and  urged  and  inii)lored 
my  husband  to  allow  me  to  come  to  him.  1  told  him  L  had 
sufficient  health  and  pluck  to  undertake  it,  and  that  no  matter 
what  happened  he  would  never  hear  me  nuirmur,  but,  on  tlic 
contrary,  1  hoped  to  make  myself  very  useful  to  him  on  many 
occasions.  He  answered  me  that  as  soon  as  it  was  possible  for 
women  to  follow  the  army,  I  should  certainly  bo  sent  ibr.  A 
little  while  after  he  wrote  me  that  my  wish  would  now  soon  bo 
fulfilled;  and  just  as  I,  in  full  anticipation,  had  got  myself 
ready  for  the  journey.  Captain  Willoe  came  to  escort  me.  One 
can  easily  imagine  how  warmly  he  was  welcomed  by  mo. 

Two  days  after  his  arrival  we  set  out.  A  boat  which  be- 
longed to  my  husband  and  another  one  brought  us  to  Three 
Rivers.  The  troops  on  board  of  the  first  boat  were  commanded 
by  the  good  sergeant,  Biirich,  who  showed  me  every  possible 
attention,  and  who,  since  this  tinu;,  has  always  kept  an  eye 
upon  our  baggage.  Niglit  overtook  us,  and  we  found  onr.<elves 
obliged  to  land  upon  an  island.  The  other  boat,  which  was 
more  heavily  laden,  and  was  not  so  well  manned,  had  not  been 
able  to  keep  up  with  us.  We  had,  consequently,  neither  beds 
nor  candles;  and  that  which  was  the  most  distressing  was,  that 
we  had  nothing  more  to  eat,  for  we  had  taken  with  us  upon  the 
VI 


I   :  'HI 


v* 


!   I 


I 


'i;r 


90 


/./•■y/V'.v.'.s'  .i.\7'  .i(iri;.\M.s 


boat,  (Piily  cnoiii;!!  to  last  us  (as  wo  siipposod)  diiriiij,' tliLMlay. 
JJcssidcs,  we  liimid  uiioii  lliis  island  iidtliiii^  hut  tiie  I'oiir  harts 
walls  of  a  dfsoitod  and  miiiiiislKHl  house,  wiiii-h  was  Hllod  with 
hushes  that  served  as  a  eoiieh  lor  th(!  ni.yht.  I  eovered  them 
with  our  cloaks,  making'  use,  also,  of  the  eushiuus  of  the  boats; 
and  in  this  way  we  had  a  riiiht  ^(lod  slee[). 

I  could  not  Induce  Caiitain  Willoe  to  eonio  into  tho  liut.  I 
saw  that  ho  was  very  nuich  troubled  al)out  sonietliirij:',  but  could 
not  at  all  niaki;  out  tho  cause  of  it.  3Ieanwhiie,  1  observed  a 
soldier  set  a  \nA  upon  the  firo.  .1  asked  him  what  lie  had  in  \i'{ 
"Potatoes,  which  I  have  brounht  with  nu',"  he  replied.  T 
looked  wistfully  at  them,  but  he  had  .so  few,  that  I  thouj^ht  it 
cruel  to  rob  him  ol'  them,  especially  as  he  seemed  so  happy  in 
their  possession.  Kiually,  liowever,  my  intense  desire  to  '^\\'\i 
s(une  to  my  ciiildren  triumphed  over  my  modesty,  and  1  thcro- 
foi'o  bofiji,cd,  and  obtained  iialf,  which,  at  the  most,  mi^ht  liavc 
been  a  dozen.  At  the  same  time,  he  handed  nie  out  of  his 
pocket,  two  (U-  three  small  ends  oi' candles,  which  f^avo  me ';reat 
joy,  as  the  children  were  afraid  to  remain  in  the  dark.  I  (^avc 
him  for  tho  whole,  a  thaler,  which  made  him  as  liappy  as  my- 
self. In  tlie  meantime,  1  heard  Captain  Willoe  L;ive  an  order 
,  for  a  fire  to  be  kindled  around  our  building,  and  for  his  men 
to  fjo  the  rounds  the  whole  niglit.  I  heard,  also,  during'  tho 
entire  uiuht  considerable  commotion  outside,  which  liindcrod 
me  a  little  I'roni  sleeping-.  The  following;'  morninj:,'  us  I  was  at 
breakfasi,  which  I  liad  spread  upon  a  stone,  that  served  us  for 
a  table,  F  asked  the  captain,  who  was  eatinji  with  mc,  and  who, 
})y  tho  way,  had  slept  in  the  boat,  what  was  the  cause  of  the 
noises  i*  He  thou  acknowledged  that  we  had  been  in  great 
danger,  from  the  fact  that  this  island  was  /y'/s/r  a  Sniiiirtfru 
(Rattlesnake  island),  so  named  on  account  of  many  rattlesnakes 
beiug  found  upon  it;  that  he  had  not  known  of  it  until  too  late; 
and  that  when  he  did  become  aware  of  it,  he  was  very  much 
frightened,  but  still  liad  not  dared  to  sail  furflmr  in  the  night 
on  account  of  the  storm.     There  had  been,   therefore,  nothin<i' 


'//.'  i//,'.v.  I, hw /•:/,■  A/,  /://■■/)/■:.■>/■:/.. 


!)l 


Ictl  I'lir  liiiii  to  do,  |)ut  t(»  build  ii  •;rciil  liro  and  inalvc  i:(iii>idcni- 
lilc  noise,  hoping-  in  tliis  way  to  rri;j,liti;n  tlio  HnakoH  and  keep 
tlioni  oil'.  His  knowledji;!;  ol'  oiir  danjicr,  liowcvtu'.  Iiad  kept 
liini  tVoni  .siufpinii  a  wink  tlui  wliolo  nij;lit.  I'immi  licarinu  tliin, 
I  wan  very  much  terriliod,  and  remarked  to  liini,  tiiat  \v(!  had 
iniinca.sura'uly  iurreased  our  danger  by  lyinj;  down  upon  tlie 
buslies,  in  which  the  .snakes  like  to  hide.  He  iicknowied-i'ed 
that  I  was  right,  and  said  that  if  he  had  known  at  the  time 
where  we  were,  he  wouM  liave  liad  all  tlie  bushes  taken  away, 
or  else  would  have  begged  us  rather  to  remain  in  the  boat,  lie 
had  first  learned  the  fact,  however,  Ironi  the  people  in  our  other 
boat,  which  hud  overtaken  as  later  in  the  eveuiuic.  In  the 
morning  we  found  on  every  side  the  skins  and  slime  of  these 
nasty  creatures,  and  accordingly,  made  haste  to  finish  our  break- 
fust.  After  our  morning  meal,  we  were  ferried  over  lake 
Champlain,  and  came  at  noon  to  Fort  John,  where  we  were 
received  by  the  commander  witli  kindness  and  much  courtesy. 
Thus  it  was  everywhere;  so  much  was  my  husband  loved,  both 
by  the  English  and  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  country.  Here 
we  again  took  our  boats  in  order  to  reach  a  cutter,  upon  which 
we  came  to  Wolf's  island,  where  we  remained  tlie  entire  night 
on  board  the  ship.  During  the  uiglit  we  had  a  thunder-storm, 
which  appeared  to  us  the  more  terrible,  as  it  seemed  as  if  we 
were  lying  in  the  bottom  of  a  caldron  surrounded  by  mountains 
and  great  trees.  The  ibilowing  day  wc  passed  Ticonderoga, 
and  about  noon  arrived  at  Fort  (leorge,  where  we  dined  with 
Colonel  Anstruther,  an  exceedingly  good  and  amiable  man,  who 
commanded  the  (i2d  regiment.  In  the  afternoon  we  seated 
ourselves  in  a  calash,  and  reached  Fort  Fdward  on  the  same 
day,  wliicli  was  the  14th  of  August.  My  husband  had  actually 
left  this  place  the  day  before  with  the  further  iulvance  of  the 
army;  but  as  soon  as  he  heard  of  our  arrival,  he  returned  on 
the  loth,  and  renuiined  with  us  until  the  ItJth.  On  that  day 
he  was  obliged,  to  my  great  sorrow,  to  rejoin  the  army.  ]Jut 
immediately  after  the  uulucky  affair  at  Bennington,  I  had  the 


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.<? 


s^- 


^ 


92 


i.trriHns  asd  .jmitsM.x 


joy  ol'siTinj;  liiiii  iiujiin  witli  iis  on  the  IStli,  and  sponJiiij;  with 
liiin  tliiTc  hii|ij)v  wi'cks  in  the  greatest  tran<(iiility.  A  i'ew  Jays 
alter  my  arrival,  news  eanic  that  we  were  eut  oH'  from  Canada, 
ir.  therclore,  I  liad  nut  taken  a(lvanta;re  ol' this  I'ortunate  ojnior- 
tunity,  1  wonld  have  been  oblij^ed  to  remain  beliind  in  Canada, 
three  long  years  without  my  husband.  'J'lie  sole  eircumstance, 
whieh  led  to  this  —  as  it  proved  for  us — fortunate  determina- 
tion, was  as  follows:  I'pon  the  arrival  of  milady  Aekland  at 
the  army,  (ieneral  Hurgoyne  said  to  my  liusband,  '•  (Jeneral, 
you  shall  have  your  ycjur  wife  liere  also  I  "  Whereupon  he  im- 
mediately dispatehed  Captain  Willoe  for  me.  We  led,  during 
these  three  weeks,  a  very  pleasant  life.  The  surrounding  eountry 
was  magnitieent;  and  we  were  encircled  by  the  encampments 
of  the  Knglish  and  tiernian  troops.  We  lived  in  a  building 
called  the  ]{ed  House.*  I  had  only  one  room  for  my  husband, 
myself  and  my  children,  in  whieh  my  hu.sband  also  slept,  and 
I'.ad  besides  all  his  writing  materials.  My  women  servants  slept 
in  a  kind  of  hall.  When  it  was  beautii'ul  weather  we  took  our 
meals  under  the  trees,  but  it  not,  in  a  liarn,  upon  boards,  which 
were  laid  u|ion  casks  and  serveil  as  a  table,      it  was  at  this  place 


♦"The  Red  ll(Hl^'c•,  or  ItiiriripynrV  lica(l(|ii!iiti'rs.  xvii-  Imill  brl'iire  llio  rcvnliitioii- 
iiry  war,  l)y  Durlm-  .Iaiiu>  Smylli.  who  lied  to  Canada,  hiil.  siibr^rciiiciilly.  i-old  llir 
lied  House  to  Caplaiii  K/.i'kii'l  Ualdwiij,  wlioocciiiiicd  it  a^-a  lavrni  iiiilil  hr  liiiill  and 
rc'iiiovid  to  lliv  la\crii  owiicd.  !^iili»(i|iic>iitly.  liy  .Major  Sproll.  The  Kiel  H(in;<i' 
i*lood  on  an  open,  nnlenced  space.  I  reidlleel  liaviii;.'  i-een  il  in  that  tonditioii. 
When  il  was  taken  ihiwn  1  do  mil  know  ;  ImiI  two  years  au'o.  I  found  its  ehiinuey 
I'oniidallon.  over  whieh  a  luw  street  has  slme  lieen  opi'iied.  Tlie  fort  of  niHl  was 
on  llie  lied  House  site,  wheri'  Colonel  I.ydins,  after  haviii!;  Iieeii  e.xpelled  from 
.Montreal,  liiiill  a  kind  of  liloek  lionse  residemc.  whieh  the  Kreiicli  called  Kort 
F-ydiiis,  and  liiirned  in  ITI.").  On  its  fonndation.  Doctor  Smyth  irecled  the  I{ed 
House,  winch,  after  Smyth  lift  for  Canada,  was  occnpied  liy  I'eler  Treal,  a  tory." — 
Lftterfrom  thi  J/dii.  .Imlijt  lltiij,  <>/ Su/<it(ii/ii  S/irin;/s  (toiitj ti  nskltnlof  (iUnn FttllK 
anil  J-'iirl  Kihinrih,  to  tin  Iraiixliilnr.  IhoiiilKi-  l.>7,  ist'iti. 

After  the  Kri'iidi  war,  the  fort illcat ion  al  Kort  Kdward  hecatiie  ko  dila|iidated,  thai 
it  was  seldom  occupied  liy  any  of  the  troops  that  were  slalioncd  there.  Canada  ln'in<; 
now  comiiiered,  il  was  supposed  there  would  lie  no  further  use  for  it  ;  and,  accord- 
iiiu'ly.  just  liefore  the  revolnlionary  war.  Dr.  Smyth  erected  from  the  (/(7(;vx  of  the 
fort,  till'  Ued  lloiisi'  for  his  own  dwelling;.  Ituri.'iiyiu'  very  iiatui  I'ly,  therefore,  took 
this  house  for  his  head-iinarters,  The  order  which  designulcd  the  •' Ucd  nuiii<u 
u»  Ucad-quarters,"  is  dated  July  *!,  ITT". 


OF  MILS.  OKXKU.ih   lUEDEsKL. 


93 


that  I  eat  bear's  flesh  for  the  first  time,  and  Ibiuitl  it  ol'  capital 
flavcir.  We  were  often  put  to  it  to  get  any  thinj;  to  eat;  not- 
withstandiuj.'  this,  liowever,  I  was  very  hajjjpy  and  content,  for 
I  was  with  my  children,  and  beloved  by  those  l»y  whom  I  was 
Hiirrnunded.  There  were,  if  I  rcuiendjcr  rightly,  four  or  five 
adjutants  staying  witli  us.  The  evening  was  spent  by  the 
gentlemen  in  playing  cards,  and  by  myself  in  putting  my  child- 
ren to  bed. 


I  !l 


t     ! 


THE  AMERTCAX  ('AMPA[GX, 


1777.* 

Fmiii  tlu-  bi'L-^iiiniii-;  nt'  tlic  c;iiiiiiiiij;ii  of  tlit-  year  1777, 
Gcueiiil  Ifieilosel  was  iieitlicr  adiiiittcd  into  the  war  (Miuncil.s  of 
the  Kiiiili.sh  generals  respecting  the  movements  of  tiie  Kxpedi- 
tion,  nor  were  tlie  instrnetions,  whieh  (Jeneral  IJurgoyiie  had 
received  from  (he  Hritisli  ministry  ujion  the  manner  in  which 
the  campaign  shouhl  be  conducted,  ever  imparted  to  liini. 
General  Uiedesel  continually  sought  and  begged,  eitlier  the 
command  of  the  advanced  guard  of  the  army,  or.  at  least,  as 
far  as  circumstances  would  admit,  of  a  particular  corps,  which 
last  reipicst  was  from  time  to  time  granted.  \t  the  same  time, 
the  general  made  it  his  greatest  endeavor  to  follow  out  most 
l)unctiliously  the  orders  of  (leneral  IJurgoyne ;  to  preserve  the 
discipline  and  mondf  of  those  troops  ])laced  under  him;  to 
promote  a  good  understanding  between  the  Knglish  and  German 
troops;  and  to  see  to  it  that  the  German  soldiers  received  all 
that  belonged  to  them,  both  by  the  subsidy  treaty,  and  by  their 
rank,  namely  :  the  enjoyment  of  the  same  advantages  as  the 
Knglish  national  troops. 

Althongli,  indeed,!  slight  differences  occurred  now  and  theu 


*Tlii^<  is  nil  iilistrnct  of  the  Military  Mniiiiir.  willli'ii  by  (icncnil  Kicdcsol.  niul 
pulillf^hi'd  ill  lull,  ill  \\U  L/fi  <iii'l  \yrilinij<,  ciUti'il  liy  .Max  Von  Kflkiiii;  at  Lclpslfj, 
ill  is,')!). 

+  TI10SC  good  olBiMM  of  (iriicial  H'cdc-'fl  arc  (■(MToliorati'd  liy  (JiMK'ml  Hnrf;oync 
in  liiK  Slitif  nf  the  E.i-iirililion.  •,'(!  I'dilioii,  |iai.'r  V.Vi. 

'•  Tlir  niodc  (if  Har  in  which  they  |lhr  (Ji-rman  li-iiii|is|  wcr(M'ii^'ai,'f(l.  wasi'iilircly 
new  to  Ihcm;  Icuiptalious  to  dui<i'it  wure  in  tlii'iiisolvcn  groat,  and  Imd  Ix'cn  eii- 


/./•:/■■//■:/:•>  A  \/>  -inrnsM.s. 


95 


aiiionj^  tlio  juivates,  jriowiiiL;  nut  nl'  tla-ir  lutt  uii(l('rstainlin<^ 
cacli  (ithcr's  laii<:uaj;o.  yet  tlicy  wen;  mmui  sottled,  e!<iiceiiilly 
wluMi  (leneiiil  Hifdescl  was  jucscnt. 

It  was  uii(l('r  tlii'so  fiifmiistaiurs  tliat  tlio  army  iimvod  out 
(if  wiiifei-(|iiartc'is  on  the  .'Ul  orJuiie.  On  flio  (Illi  ol'.liily.  llic 
Aiiu'ricaiis  al)aii(loiu'(l  'riooiidcroua.  On  \\w  veiy  sanio  day, 
(Jenoral  Kicdosel  was  detatdu'd  witli  tlinc  (Ici'man  liattalions  to 
sniiport  Hriuadier  rrazor.  wlio  was  jiurMiinu'  tlii;  ri'Ireatinjr 
enemy  toward  Unlterton.  Wliile,  on  the  7tli.  lie  was  only  alxnit 
an  hour's  distance  I'nmi  J{riifa<lier  l-'ra/er,  the  latter  had,  with- 
out waiting,;  for  him,  already  enjiaued  the  enemy.  The  fne  was 
hot,  anil  the  situation  eritleal.  until  tleneral  Kiedesel  came  u]i 
with  his  advanced  uiiard.  and  made  with  it  a  fresh  attack 
uj)on  the  riuht  flank  of  the  ciu'my.  wliicdi  chanficd  the  cc>m- 
jilexiou  of  art'airs  so  mucli.  that  the  enemy  were  beaten  with 
considerable  loss;  ami  IJrii^adier  Kra/.cr,  as  well  as  all  the  ntti. 
cers  of  his  eor|)S,  exjircsscd  to  the  general  their  most  lively 
jrratitude.* 

After   this  aflair.   General  IJurj^oyne  j;atbcrcd  his  army  to- 


limici'd  mill  circiiliitc'd  iiinoiiir  llutn  liy  cmi-'snHi's  nfilic  cticiny  with  niiicli  ml  nnd 
iiidii^'lry.  .Ir.ildiisy  (d  pivdili'i'iidii  in  the  alluiinriii  id'  )>iiri>  miil  >c|ijiiiiii'  roiii- 
iiiiiniN.  I'viT  cul)^isl•'  miiiiiii:  imnp-  cd' dillri'ciil  >-liil<'s:  and  a  ~iilid  iindcnnci' id' 
jiid^rnicnl  in  llicciinMiiandcr  in  cld(d'.  nl'lcn  appraiMi  nainiw  naliimal  |iai'lialily. 

■•  I  ••(iiiri'sr'.  I  \va^  nincli  a••^is|(•d  In  inainlaiidnL'  innliality  In  an  army  \\m*  ciini- 
poHi'd,  liy  the  IVanlv.  r'pii'iud.  and  lii>n<iral>l<'  cliaiartcr  I  liad  tn  ilral  willi.  In  Majiii' 
(icnrral  Hii'ilrMl :  —a  cliaiactcr  uhlcli  win*  very  I'aiiy  Impri'i'^i'd  iipun  my  mind,  anil 
wlilcli  no  iHais  of  inliinny.  danu'i'i-  and  illolrcs?'.  jiavr  tiincc  rll'accd  :  lint  addnvB 
wah  ^tlll  riMpiUltr  to  siroiid  Ills  /ral.  and  iIIIViim'  it  tlniiiiL'li  tlii'(ii'i'inaii  rank!*,  and 
I  Mliidli'd  ti>  tlirow  llii'in  intu  >ltiiatiiiii>  llial  nili:lil  l'Im'  tluin  coiilldi'nri'  In  tlicnr- 
Hi'lvi's.  rrcdit  with  their  prlnci'.  anil  alac  rily  in  llu'  pin>iill  iil'  an  mti'i-prisi'.  wlilcli, 
when  its  dillli'iillirs  wvw  ii>n<lii<-n'd.  in  I'aci  riM|iiirrd  fiitliiislasm.'" 

'■*.\I'I<T  llir  liallli'.   Kra/n-.  while  cxprrs^lnir  hi- tliank-  liir  Ihi- timely  reMiie. 
shiiiik  hands  with  111-  nld  I'rienil  and  riiinpaiilnii  In  arm-  I  |{i>'de-el{.  wiih  whuiii  he 
had  already  I'lPUiilit   in  the  Seven   Years'  war.   in  (iermaiiy.  wllh  L'leat    valur."- 
llhtitrij  iif  till  flenmtii  Aii.tilhirh"  in  Aiinricii. 

(ieneial  Hnnroyiie  in  his  ollUlal  repiirl  nl'lliis  aellon.  due-  mily  partial  justice  to 
(ierinaii  vnlor  on  this  iHrnsion.  "Major  (Jeiieial  I{lede-e'"  he  says,  "and  the 
troops  under  his  I'unimand  wished  to  partake  ol' the  lionor.  and  they  eatne  at  the 
rlirhl  lime  to  i;el  it.  '  He  tail-,  however,  to  mentloii  the  I'ael.  that  It  was  the  tier- 
mans  who  liirned  the  seales  and  assisted  the  Ihitl-li  out  id'  their  strait. 


^tr-. 


06 


IKTTFIIS  A. YD  ./'yr/.'.V.I/..s' 


ficnu-r  ill  SkecnslHirdii^h.  On  the  12th  of  July,  (lonenil 
|{ie(h'sel  Wiis  di'tadieil  with  nix  hattalions.  with  orders  to  posst 
hiiii«:lf  ill  thi-  vii'iiiify  of  CuMth'  Town,*  in  order  to  erente  in  the 
niiiid  ol'tlie  enoiiiy  »  siis|>ieioii  tliat  liis  object  was  a  demonstra- 
tion upon  the  Conncctieut  river.  In  the  meanwhile,  General 
IJurj-oyne  iiad  the  roads  repaired. t  and  bej;aii  to  advance  uj)on 
Fort  Hdward.  by  way  of  Fort  Anne.];  At  the  same  time,  and 
while  lie  was  marcliinji  upon  Fort  Kdward,  (ieneral  lliedesel 
received  orders  to  follow  the  Fiiif^lish  in  that  direction,  wliich  he 
did, and  united  himself  aj;ain  with  the  army  on  the  'id  of  Au<;ust. 
While  at  this  place,  (ieneral  JJuriioyne  determined  to  detach 
a  corps  iinihu-  Jiieutenaiit  (^oloiiel  IJauni  to  IJennin^ton.  for  the 
luirjiose  of  seizing  a  considerable  maj;azino  of  stores  in  that 
town;  an  expedition  that  General  IJicdesel  thoujilit  very  unad- 
visable.  and  ajiainst  which  he  emphatically  contended.  Not- 
withstanding this,  however,  it  was  undertaken,  and  as  it  was 
tliiiiiubt  that  liicntenant  Colonel  liauni  had  too  small  a  force  to 
contend  with  the  enemy,  liieutcnant  Colonel  IJre^mann  —  al&o 
contrary  to  the  judgment  oi'  General  IJiedcscl  —  was  sent  to 
sniipoit  him  This  affair,  on  the  llltli,  at  Mennin^ton,  turned 
out  very  unluckily.  The  enemy  was  four  or  five  times  stroii,i:er 
than  the  troops  sent  a-iainst  him.  The  distance  prevented 
Lieutenant  Colonel   IJrcymaun  from  comiiii:  up  early  enouj;h ; 


*  Cii^llcTdwii  -till'  iircsciit  Cnstli'loii.  VI..—  Is  di'scrilicd  lis  licinir.  al  llils  period, 
'a  wii'itlu'd  piaii'.  coiisisiiiur  "f  only  Iwciily  iniiTnil)!!'  dwelling'  liniisi's.  Ilio 
owiiiTs  (il'wliicli  wiTc  Ibr  tlir  iiiiifl  pari  palriDls." 

+  t;iin'ial  Hiin.'i)viii'  iicil  iiiily  had  to  repair  Die  roads,  hiil  to  cm  a  road  lliroiii.'li 
a  priiiHval  luresi  and  llu'  worst  Jiind  ol'  a  loresl.  lull  of  swamps  and  wiiMi-l'alls, 
DiiriiiL'  liis  inareli  lo  Fori  lylward  alone,  lie  liad  lo  liiiild  lorly  liriclu-is,  and  lay  eor- 
diiroy  roads  oI'Iol's  across  Hie  swamps,  one  ol'wlilcli  was  two  miles  in  leiitrlli. 

^  Fort  St.  .\nne.  al  this  lime,  exisleil  only  in  name.  It  consisied  of  a  s(inar(\ 
formed  liy  palisades,  willi  loop-holes  lielween  lliem.  Inside  of  Ihe  enclosure  were 
a  w  relclied  liarrack  and  a  storehouse  luiill  of  wood.  The  .\mericans  set  it  on  lire 
when  they  evacuated  the  place  :  but  a  violent  shower  haviiii.' set  in  and  extiiifiliished 
Hie  llames.  tlie  work  of  destriiction  was  only  partially  accomplished.  The  hrickx 
of  tlie  I'oiindations  that  were  still  siandin;.'  were  used  hy  tlic  (ierinaiis.  on  takiiii,' 
possession,  to  liiiild  ovi'iis. 


OF  Mils.  liESKIlM.   l!lb:i)Ksh:i.. 


97 


and,  iK'Ci»i-diiii;ly,  hotli  coqis  wcn'o  lieiitcii  (nie  iil'tor  iinotlii;!-. 
'J'lie  men  as  well  as  their  resiieetive  chiel's  acttil  very  bravely, 
but  tliey  were  the  vietinis  of  having  been  stationed  tni>  far  from 
tlie  army,  witliont  the  slij^htest  eommuiiication. 

This  unfortunate  affair  eaused  a  sud(K;ii  eessation  of  all  our 
operations.  Our  boats,  jirovisious —  in  faet,  notliing  was  re- 
ceived froni  Fort  (leor-e.  The  army,  tlierefore,  could  not 
advance  farther,  and  the  despondent  wpirit)<  of  the  enemy 
became  suddenly  so  elated,  that  its  army  jrrew  daily  stronj^er. 

On  the  8th  of  Auj^ust,  (Jeneral  Kiedesel  was  detached  with 
three  battalions  to  John's  Farm,*  between  Forts  (ieor<,'e  and 
Kdward,  for  the  purpose,  not  only  of  covering  the  communica- 
tion with  Fort  (ieorge,  but  to  promote  the  conveyance  of  the 
convoy  to  the  army.     There,  in  that  place,  he  was  comj)letely 
cut  oft'  from  the  army  !     So  he  entrenched  himself  in  a  strongly 
fortified  camp,  that  he  might  be  able  to  defend  himself  to  the 
last  man.     Tiie  main  army  were  stationed  during  the  whole  of 
this  time   at    Edward's   House  and  Fort  Miller;  one  battalion 
being  plae-u  at  Fort  Kdward  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  up  tiie 
communication.     Jt  was  natural  to  expect  that  when  the  army 
.shoidd    advance    toward  Albany,   intermediate  forts  wimld  be 
established   along  the    Ilud.son   river,    to  keep  up  continually 
communication    with    Fort    (ieorge;    but    (Jeneral    JJurgoyne, 
fearing  that  by  such  measures  his  army  would  bo  very  much 
weakened,    determined    upon   an  entirely  difterent  \<U\\.      He 
wished,  in  line,  with  forty  days'  provisions,  and  a  proportionate 
train  of  artillery,  to  advance  against  the  enemy,  and  havin"' 
beaten  them,  to  put  forth  every  eflort  to  force  a  connnunication 
with  the  army  that  was  believed   to  be  advancing  from  New 
York  to  meet  him;  at  the  same  time  abandoning  all  communi- 
cation with  Fort  (ieorge,  Tieonderoga,  and  Crown  Point.      Of 
this  design,  however,  nothing  was  allowed  to  transpire. 


♦  This  farm  was  inimedlatoly  north  of  llall'-wiiy  lirook,  two  mill's  fnnn  ilic  picsont 
pretty  \i\h\^v.  of  (Jlcirs  KallH.  Half-way  lirook  must  not  \w  coiifoiiiKlcii  witli  IJoiky 
brook,  wliero  MnKimiis  foil  wliilo  oil  hin  way  to  the  ruliof  of  GfiK'ral  Joliiit-oii,  on 
the  8th  of  September,  I'oS. 

13 


^K. 


(ii. 


08 


l.h.TTFIts  A.\/i  ./(>r/,'\M.S 


As  siHiii  as  tin'  ]ir()visions  anil  all  dtlicr  necessary  suiijilies 
for  the  army  were  culleefed,  the  eainj)  liroke  ii|i  i>n  tlu!  lltli  of 
Se|itenil)er ;  on  the  l.'Jtii,  the  army  hail  i-ndrely  iia>seil  the 
lliidson  river,  and  on  the  1  Ith,  eneam])eil  on  the  hei>:hts  of 
.Saratopi.  On  the  IStliiit  murehed  to  the  lu'i^dits  iil'l)oviij;at,anil 
on  the  17th.  was  at  Swords's  house.  All  these  marches  were 
at-tended  with  exeeedini;  harilsliiji,asall  theroadsand  hridires  had 
to  he  repaired,  and  we  were  oltlij;cd  to  make  very  cautious  recon- 
iioissances.  .\  still  worse  cireumstanco  was.  that  the  course  of  the 
Iliulson  is  such,  that  the  rid^'c  of  hills  on  either  side  is  now 
close  to  it  and  now  far  oft'.  The  columns  were  thus  forced  to 
inarch  on  tin;  flats  ami  on  the  hei,i;hts.  and.  were,  thert'l'ore,  very 
often  half  an  hour's  distance  from  each  other,  nuiny  times  with- 
out an  <i|i]n)rtunity  of  uniting. 

In  the  meantinu\  the  iinfortumite  affair  ha|i|>ened  at  15en- 
ninirton  ;  and  this,  to}.'ether  with  the  raising  of  the  siege  of 
Fort  Stanwi.\  by  the  American  (icneral  Arnold — a  siege  that 
liad  been  undertak«Mi  by  the  Knglish  liieiitenant  ('olonel  St. 
l-eger —  raised  the  sjiirits  of  the  enemy  so  amazingly,  that  the 
militia  poured  forth  in  crowds  from  the  provinces  of  New  llani])- 
shireand  New  York.  Three  brigades,  also,  arrived  from  the  army 
of  Washington  and  Putnam  ;  anddcneral  (,iateswassentby(iene- 
ral  Washington  to  take  command  of  the  army.  Hy  this  means 
the  American  army  which  at  the  end  of  .July  and  the  begin- 
ning of  August,  was  only  about  four  or  five  thousand  strong, 
now  increased  to  between  fourteen  and  twenty  thousand  men. 

With  this  considerable  force  the  enemy  advanced  first  as  far  a.s 
Stillwater,  and  afterward  encamped  three  tniles  this  side  upon 
the  heights  of  IJimese's  House,*  where  his  right  wing  was  sup- 
ported by  the  Hudson  river.  This  wing  was  protected  in  front 
by  a  large,  marshy  ravine,  and  behind,  its  lines  were  screened 


*  So  spelled  III  tile  iiriiriiial.  I'roliiilily  no  imiiie  liiis  been  jrlven  in  nx  mnny  illf- 
ferelil  \viiyt>  iik  IliN.  Some  «  filers  spell  It  lieiiiis  :  olliers  Helmiiis:  wliili'.  iiirain. 
W.  ('.  Wilkinson  ilieiileiiaiit  in  Hie  IWd  Hrilisli  re;.'iininl.  anil  .i^sistaiit  eiiirineeil  in 
Ills  map  ul'tlie  Held  olaetion.  made  on  the  spot,  spi  tis  It  llniniiis. 


OF    VUS.  UFShliAI.  lill-:/>KSFf. 


!l!t 


b^'  Mil  iihali-  'till'  Ift'i  wiiiu  i-xleiidcd  on  to  ii  licijilit.  iipini 
tho  t<i]i  of  wliicli  sliioil  tt  si'liiiiil  li<iu>(t,  iiiid  Un  left  Hunk  wim 
iikewiso  scrconod,  rn  the  >idi-  of  tin'  hill,  liy  f'ollod  trues. 
'J'lu'  lii'i>.cli(.«i  were  as  st»c|)  Itoliind  ii.s  in  Irmit  ;  and  it  was  u|i<in 
thcsi;  !u;i^lits  that  thf  iMicniy  wen'  I'lilrcnclii'd  and  awaited  imr 
iirri\al.  Altmit  eleven  n'clock.  on  tiie  ^n'l^ninJ:;  of  the  I'.Mh, 
oiir  iiriiiy  advam  rd  from  SwordnV  house  in  thni'  co'iinins  'I'lie 
kft  hand  eiiiuinii,  whicdi  went  l»y  land  aud  water,  eoiisi.-ti'd 
of  four  (icriiian  ref^inicnts.  and  the  47tli  |{ritisli,  tlio  latter 
eoverinji  the  bateaux.  'I'hese  troops,  toyefher  with  all  the 
artilleiy  and  l)a;;trai^(!,  were  plaeeil  under  the  eouuuand  of  (jeiie- 
ral  liicide^t'l.  At  an  interval  of  half  au  hour  all  the  Kni^li.sh 
rei^iinents,  whirh  were  led  hy  Jiur;;oyiie,  liiniself,  a>  general  in- 
ehief,  niarehed  n|ioii  the  heights  at  ortr  iij:ht  hand  ;  and  tho 
third  eolunin,  whitli  niarehed  still  more  to  the  ri}.'ht,  were 
eoinpo-sed  of  the  I'razer  corps,  and  the  eorp--  of  Lieutenant 
('<donel  I5ii;\  inanii,  and  were  (Mniinianded  hy  Hrii:adier  (leneral 
Fra/er.  'flie  march  was  exeeedinply  tedious,  as  every  nioineui 
new  hrid^'cs  had  to  be  made,  and  trees  put  down  and  removed 
out  of  till'  way.  About  one  (t'oloek,  the  eoliiiiin  of  (leneral 
Uiedesel  Inward  a  d'sehar^c  of  siiiull  arms  and  eaiiiion,  and  eon- 
jei'tiired  that  it  <'a!i!efrom  the  trmijis  with  (ieneral  Hur.'oyne. 
At  hall'  past  two  the  tirinir  eommeneed  anew  witli  more  or  less 
furv.  As  (ieneral  Itiedesol  nji  t"  llii>  (iine  h;id  not  reecived 
the  lea-t  iiitellii.'enee  I'roni  (Jciniral  IJuriroyne,  he  dis]iatehed 
Captain  Willoe  to  him.  The  Latter  n-turned  after  three-<juarters 
of  an  hour,  brinj;ing  orders  from  liurgoyrie  to  takt^  the  best 
measures  to  eover  the  artillery,  ba^jrage  aud  bateaux-,  and  then, 
with  iia  many  troops  as  he  eould  sjtare,  to  come  to  his  assistaneo, 
and  endeavor  lo  aftaek  the  enemy  on  the  riLdit  Hank. 

General  Uiede.^td  immeiliately  took  his  iufautry  rii;iment  and 
two  companies  of  the  Khetz  rc<i;iment.  and  niarehed  through  a 
piece  of  wooda  over  the  heights  in  the  direction  of  the  tiring. 
Upon  emerging  from  the  wood  into  the  clearing  at  Freeman's 
farm,   he   saw  both   armies  engaged,    and   found   himsell'   close 


I 


i»r- 


I(ll> 


t.K7'Tf:/{s  A\/i  .lnlli.\M.s 


oil  t'l  the  cin'iiiy'H  riirlit  flunk  Tin-  Kii^^lisli  k-ll  wiin:  \va^t  just 
oil  llic  [MMiii  III'  ri'tri'utiiij!;.  .llf.  tlic-ri-Con'.  at  once  roriiicil  llic 
Ht'Vcii  <Miiii[iani»'H.  ami  utiackcd  tlii'  ciiciiiy  at  tlie  (loul»l>'-<|iiiik. 
As  soon  us  tl\o  I'liiL'li^h  lurccivcd  this  iiHivciiifiit,  tlioy  nillioil, 
iinii.  ill  a  i*linri  tiiiif.  tluM'iii'iny  was  i;oiiijiii't«'ly  Injattin ;  anil  liml 
not  niii;lit  coiih'  on.  it  wmiiil  liiivc  been  euwily  possible  to  hiive 
drivrii.  at  tin:  sami-  linu-.  his  broken  ranks  into  his  (aiiii>  in  the 
frrcatijst  tlisikiilci'  Niiilit  ii.\<t.f<l  ii|i<in  the  irori|i,-<  as  tln-y  .stood 
on  the  tiehl  ol'  battle;*  anil  (leiieral  Ilieilescl  returned  to  ttie 
left  winjr  by  the  river  side.  On  tlie  2<Jtb,  our  army  oceuiiicd 
the  jHisition  of  Frct'iiian's  farin  as  far  as  thr  emi  of  liii-  risiiif^ 
ground  toward  the  liiid.<on  river.  The  hill,  which  sinrmuidcd 
the  valley,  was  i'orlilied  with  redoubts,  and  a  bridge  was  thrown 
over  the  river,  and  ](rotee(ed  on  the  othisr  side  by  a  tftf  </<  pont. 
The  entire  army  entrenehed  itself  with  lines  and  redoubts, 
wiiich  iieiT  and  there  were  garnished  with  batteries  at  suitable 
jdaees. 

Ill  this  position  bnih  armies  reniained  stationary  until  tiieend 
of  September.  Onr  pickets  were  from  time  to  time  attacked. 
'W  ■  were  eoiislanlly  obliged  to  send  out  oin'  fdiiiging  parties 
uccoiiipaiiicMl  by  a  .strong  i:scort.  and  the  torago  beeaiiic  very 
scarce.  W'o  often  sent  out  detachments  to  rt'Coniiuitre  the 
right  flunk  <<['  the  enemy,  but  we  were  never  so  fortuni'to  m  to 
obtain  any  accurate  knowledge  of  bis  cami'  The  enemy,  on 
bis  side,  likewise,  did  not  fail  to  send  out  from  time  to  time 
detachments  against  our  right  flank,  and  u](oii  the  other  side  of 
the  river  in  the  direction  of  the  Hatten  kill.  While  stationed 
at  this  iiIm'c.  we  abo  hariied  that  the  enemy  liad  made  aii 
attempt,  by  way  ol'  Skeeiisborough,  upon  Carillon,  which  was 
unsuccessful.  He  bad.  however,  s\irprised  four  eompanies  of 
the    ')'>d   regiment,    stationed   at   the   .Saw-mill,   who  were  all 


♦'■The  Urlli-'li  and  CliTimiii  IriKips  bivnimckid  im  llio  ImllU-fidd  llif  Briilis- 
wkkiTs  l•olnllo^i«;^  in  jmrt  llu  ritrlu  «in(.',  ll  wa;'  a  silent  uli'hl.  No  ullior  sounils 
weri'  liruril.  i'\<'r)>l  thi'  ^rroiiiiiiii.'a«(l  i-iLrliiiii;  ol  Ihr  woiinilod,  mid  lln'  iliallonglng 
(if  the  sciitrli'H,"  -  7'/ie  AiiwUiary  Tniuixi  in  America. 


nh-  Mils.  i.h:\h:iiM.  iiii'DEsh:!,. 


101 


eaptiircd.  Our  piovisiuns  wen;  (Mil  dtl',  riMliiciiijj;  our  daily 
raliiiMs  til  uiH'  |iiiuiiil  III' moat  ami  mic  of  lireail;  a  trial.  Iinwcvcr, 
wliicli  iiiir  siiMii-rs  huro  with  the  i^rcatof^f  i'nrtitudi;.  As  nur 
Hituatimi  ht'caiiie  irmii  day  tn  day  iiiiirc  <-ritieal,  and  tlic  |iusitiiiii 
III'  tlu'  I'iMMiiy  lifiiii:  tun  striiMi,',  and  liis  army  Inn  iiuiiit'rnMs  to 
attack  liiin,  (Iciicral  liur^rnyiu*,  mi  tlu-  Ith  iil'  ()ctiilit>r.  calli'd 
^Minerals  I'luHijis  aiul  Hicdcscl,  ami  |{ri;;adi('r  (Ii'iicral  l'"ra/,or 
into  liis  presence,  for  the  purpose  of  consulting;  with  them  ujmn 
the  best  cuurst!  to  he  purHucd  under  the  present  state  nl'  affairs. 
For  his  part,  he  proposed  to  leave  all  the  supplies  and  hnats  lor 
ii  lew  daj'8  ill  one  of  the  entrenehinents,  under  the  eare  ol'  ii 
force  of  abcuit  eij^lit  hundred  men,  und  to  attack  the  eiu'my 
upon  his  left  flank,  and  turn  his  rear.  Hut  as  we  knew  as  little 
of  the  roads  as  of  the  positinn  of  the  enemy's  left  win^,  and  as 
three  or  four  days  must  certainly  elapse  hefore  we  could  bring 
about  un  cnj^u<;eincnt,  iind  as,  moreover,  it  would  be  danjrerous 
to  leave  our  weakly  j,'uaided  majra/.ines  for  so  lonf^  a  time,  it 
was  determined,  after  mature  deliberation  upon  these  and  still 
other  circumstanecs,  to  hold  a  second  ennference  upon  the 
evenini;  of  the  oth.  At  this  meeting,  (leneral  lliedesel  dis- 
tinctly declared,  that  our  situation  was  of  such  a  nature  that  if 
we  did  mit  march  against  the  enemy  within  one  (biy.  to  attack 
him  and  bring  affairs  to  a  crisis,  it  would  be  expedient  to  move 
back  again  to  the  liatten  kill;  and  after  having  passed  the 
Hudson  in  rear  of  the  Hatten  kill,  where  we  could  not  again 
be  cut  off  from  Fort  Ocorge,  to  await  (Jeneral  (Minton's  move- 
ments in  ojiening  communication.  Mrigadier  (ieneral  Frazer 
fell  in  with  this  npinion  of  (Ieneral  liiedesel.  (Ieneral  I'hillips 
would  give  no  advice  whatever,  and  (Jeneral  Hurgoyne,  with 
whom  it  went  hard  to  make  a  thoroughly  backward  movement, 
declared  that,  on  the  7th,  he  would  make  a  reconnoissance  as 
near  as  possible  to  the  enemy's  left  wing,  in  order  to  a.scertain 
whether  or  not  it  could  be  attacked.  In  the  first  case,  he  would 
on  that  very  day,  the  7tb,  immediately  attack  the  enemy ;  but 
if,  on  the  contrary,  the  enemy's  position  was  too  strong,  be  would, 


V- 


Illl 


I.KTTKHs  AM)  .H)l  ItSM.S 


on  tlic  lllli  (if  Oftiiltcr.  al  >twv  nlriMit  tn  tlii>  MattiMi  kill.  As 
III!  iHTsistcil  ill  this  ilftcnniiiiiliciii,  tlicrc  rt'iiiiiiiicd  imtliiii^'  iltc 
til  (l<i  liiit  tn  F4uliiiiii  to  iiirt  wi'^lii's  On  the  tlih,  we  liirajrcd,  ami 
tli.«trilintt(l  latidiis  fur  fmir  (iay.H  ainmi^'  tlic  iiicii.     On   tin;  7tli, 

at    ten   u'ljcitk    ill   tli( iiiinj:,    tiftecu  liuiiilruU  iiii'ii,  Hfloctisil 

fur  till)  itriiiiniii.Hsanic,  niarcluil  Inrfli  with  eij:lit  i!aiiii(iii,  iiiidrr 
tile  c"iiiiiiiiaii(l  iif  (ioiifral  |{iirj;ii3ni'  liiiii>clf.  wliu  wan  ac(iiin|m- 
iiieil  fnnii  tin'  i-aiii|i  liy  (icncrals  liiodcsi-l,  I'liiHipi  and  Kra/.iir. 
In  tliret!  (■"iiiiniis,  we  advanced  t(i  within  idiout  a  ((iiarlor  (if  an 
huur's  inarcli  uf  tliu  cnt-iny's  loft  win^',  wIkti'  wo  mi't  a  |inrtiiiii 
(if  tlio  cnoniy  (M'oii|iyini.r  a  liuiiso  ( Woisor't*  hiniso);  dnivo  him 
out,  and  tmik  jiofifofsidii  (if  tlio  rihiii;:  ij;r(iiind,  which,  Imwovor, 
wiLS  .siirniundod  mi  Ixitli  sidos  with  wikkI.s.  While  we  were 
dolilioratin;;  in  this  iilaeo,  htiw  wo  could  push  tlie  rccdiiiKiiM- 
Maiico  .xtill  further,  the  oiieiny  attacked  the  left  winj;  of  our 
coniniand,  and  flunj;  himself  with  t.  reatest  force  u|ioii  tlio 
Kiijilish  grenadieis  standiii;;  in  the  wood,  liientenant  Colonel 
Speeht,  who  commanded  the  centre,  maintained  \m  iiositioii  for 
a  hinji  time,  and  would  have  su.staiiuKl  himself  still  loiij;er,  luid  not 
my  liord  IJalcarras,  who  was  stationed  on  his  riicht  flank,  been 
ordered  hack  thronj;h  some  inisunderstandiiiLi.  As  he  wa.s  now 
attacked  in  frmit  and  on  Imth  flanks,  he  found  himself,  with  lii.s 
three  hundred  men,  forced  to  retreat.  Thereiiiion,  the  enemy 
pressed  forward  from  all  sides,  and  (leiieral  l{ur^'(jyiie  at  onoe 
ordered  a  retreat  ujioii  the  ;^ieat  riidoulit  on  the  rij^ht  win^  of 
the  l"'razer  corps.  Scarcely  had  the  troojis  reached  there,  wlien 
the  enemy  attacked  the  redoubt  with  the  i^roatost  fury,  but 
without  success ;  and  we  held  it  until  the  next  morninj^.  Hut 
the  Hreymaiin  corps,  hardly  two  hundred  men  stronj.^,  and 
attacked  in  front  and  on  both  flanks,  j^ave  way  after  liieutcnant 
Colonel  IJreymann  was  killed.  Now,  but  unfortunately  too  late, 
(ieneral  Hurfjoyno  determined  to  make  a  retreat  to  tlie  IJatten 
kill.  Hefore  the  break  of  day  on  the  niornini;-  of  the  Sfh.  we 
left  our  jiosition  and  drew  ofl*  into  i\w  valley  where  our  supplies 
were.     We  were  obliyod,  however,  to  stop  over  u  day,  as  our 


"/■•    I//.'.s,  /.A'.VAA' I/.    l,'IH>h:sh:i.. 


lo:i 


h'iH|iital  ('(Mild  iiiil  III'  MMiiicr  lriiii.<'|M)r(('il.  In  ilic  cM'iiiiii^  \v<' 
set  (Mil  nil  mil'  irti'(':it.  iiinl  (ii'iii'i'al  liicilcM'l  wiis  |>lii'('(l  in 
(■iiiiiiiijiikI  III'  till'  Viiii^ii.inl.  with  iiistnirtiiiiis  tn  crn.-s  ilic  lliui- 
i^iill  Mini  |Mi>t  liilii-cit' lii'liilnl  (lie  Itatli'li  kill.  lint  M'Ml'ri'lv  llilil 
III'  iiri'ivt'il  at  hiiviijiat,  wlicii  lie  received  ludei'."'  tn  liali.  A  day 
\va>  tliiis  ilHL'lef*.«*|y  waited,  til  iMir  fji'tati'Sl  iiiiiii/.eiiiiiit,  in  tin; 
evuiiiiifr,  we  a;:aiii  iimiclied,  iiiid  jmHscd  ii.l  I  ill,  inar  Sarat<i^:a.* 
]{y  llii^'  tiiiu;.  tile  eiieiiiy  liad  iii'i'U|iii'd  tlie  uj  jinsite  liaiik  nt'tlie 
liinUiiii,  a(  the  Itatteii  kill,  i'nr  wliieli  rea'-mi  (leiieral  jtiirju^iie 
ei)in*idered  it  daii;iei'iiiis  ti>  erns."*  the  '  idsmi.  The  a/iu\ ,  thei'e- 
t'lire,  (III  tlie  lOtii,  UwV  ii|i  a  |iii.>ii'iiiii  at  Sarati^a  .>liieh,  in  Iced, 
was  strung  mi  the  Kit  win^  tnwanl  the  Ki  li  kill,  but  in  thi! 
eeiiti'i  and  mi  the  riuht  wiiiir,  was  r^n  f'anltv  that  it  was  itniins- 
sihle  to  inaiiitain  it.  'I'lie  same  rveiiin^'  tin;  eiitire  ann}  ul'  tin- 
enemy  eaiiie  up.  On  this  same  il:r-,  we  had  d(;s|iat('lii  d  t wo 
re<:inieiits  under  the  emiimand  nl'  l/ieu'emiiitCulniiel  Smitherlaini 
mi  this  side  ut'the  lludsnn  river.  ti>  recmimiitro  the  mad  which 
led  >ii  l''iirt  i'ldwanl.  and  had  sent  with  him  the  engineer,  ('a|ilain 
Twiss,  to  repair  the  hridjics.  Lioiittinanf  ('ulinitd  Sniitherland 
actually  ^'ot  within  an  hmir's  march  nf  l''i>rt  Kdvvard.  and  was 
prcjiariii^'  tu  mend  the  chief  hridiic,  when  lie  received  the  un- 
fiirtunate  order  to  return.  On  the  morninu  oi'  the  llth.  the 
enemy,  with  three  hriirades,  passed  l'"isli  kill  in  lull  view  ol'  our 
army,  with  the  intentim!  nl'  attaekiiijr  mir  rear.  He  was  so 
liirtunate  as  to  capture  mir  hoals.  and  also  iiiak(!  prismiers  ufaii 
officer   with    thirty  men.   and  a  urcat  part    ol'  our  hoatmen.      A 


*'I'lii'  rriiiirr  iiiii^l  Ivriir  in  miiiil  lli;il  IliU  i-^  imiI  tin'  SiiiiiIul'.m  WiiliTiiiir  pliirr  nl' 
moilcrn  ilnv^.  Imt  llic  nlil  Inwii  ol  SaralnL'a.  l\inL'  ii|mi|i  (lie  iiiiir:.'in  nl  llic  lliiil^nii 
river.  .\l  tills  lliiu'.  Ilic  SanilcPL'M.  Iirrr  rclcinil  In  in  llir  Irxl.  was  a  silhiL'i'  nl  -nini' 
tlilrly  i-'nlaU'il  liniir^c-.  Inralnl  nn  llii'  i'Il'IiI  lianii  nl'  llii'  llalli'ii  kill,  wlilcli  i'tii|ili<'-< 
inin  llii'  llnihiMi.  I  nnliirnnii-'  In  llii)-  villaiii'  \\n*  llir  nld  niililarv  wmk.  I'nrl 
llanl.v.  ralli'd  allcr  (InMiimr  llaiil.v.  and  iTi'cli'd  in  I  In-  llf-l  Kri'iiili  war.  'I'ln-  lim-s 
nrcnlii'iiiliiniiil  cinliiaccil  alinni  lllli'cn  acrci'nI'L'iniiMd.  'I'lir  niiliT  ^\■n^k^>  wliiili  .ire 
iMiniidi'd  Hniilli  on  the  iiorlli  Imnk  '*'  fi^li  rri'i'k  il-'i^li  kill),  iiiid  ra>t  mi  llirwc-l 
Imnknl'llu'  lliiili'iin.  .vet  il.'^'ni  I'cliilii  llii'U|i|H'»niiU'corai*li'niii;fnrtilii'alinii.  llinnan 
hniit'H,  l°ni<riiii'iilK  ol'  llic-ai'iiif,  KWorilK.  ImiIIm,  IoiiIh,  lirokcii  crocki'i'y,  dr..  arc  I'rr- 
(|iirnll.v  pickt'd  up  on  IIiIh  i;roiind. 


%»• 


TT-^ 


■ 


104 


LETTEIIS  ASD  JOriiXALS 


brisk  fire  of  canister  tliat  we  opened  upon  him,  forced  the 
enemy,  it  is  true,  to  recross  the  Fish  kill;  but  the  batciiux, 
tofrether  with  a  great  part  of  our  supplies,  were,  nevertheless, 
lost.  J)uring  the  entire  day,  our  army  was  cannonaded  from 
the  front  and  in  the  rear,  and  the  outposts  fired  incessantly 
upon  each  other.  In  the  evening,  (icneral  Burgoyne  again 
called  Generals  Riedesel  and  I'hillips  to  him,  and  held  a  con- 
sultation regarding  the  best  course  to  be  pursued  in  this 
emergency ;  and  as  he  himself  gave  it  as  his  opinion,  that  it 
was  as  impossible  to  attack  the  enemy,  as  to  maintain  our  posi- 
tion either  in  the  centre  or  upon  the  right  wing.  General 
liiedcsel  proposed  to  abandon  the  baggage  and  retire  to  this 
side  of  the  Hudson  during  the  night — not,  indeed,  at  Fort 
Edward,  but  to  ford  the  river  four  miles  below,  and  strike 
across  to  Fort  George  —  a  feat  that  was  still  possible,  since  the 
enemy  had  not  yet  occupied  the  road  on  this  side  of  the  river. 
That  evening,  however,  we  could  not  agree  upon  any  fixed  plan. 
It  was  the  same  on  the  12th.  Meanwhile,  the  enemy  occupied 
all  the  posts  along  the  river  as  far  up  as  Fort  Edward,  and  also 
extended  itself  more  along  our  front. 

At  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  a  conference,  to  which 
Brigadiers  (lall  and  Hamilton  were  admitted,  was  again  held. 
General  Iliedesel  insisted  very  vehemently  and  in  the  most 
emphatic  language,  upon  the  retreat  as  previously  proposed  — 
a  retreat  that  was  now  still  practicable,  but  which  the  slightest 
movement  of  the  enemy  would  render  utterly  impossible.  At 
last,  this  retreat  was  resolved  upon  ;  but  scarcely  had  all  its 
details  been  arranged,  when  it  was  discovered,  that  the  provi- 
sions for  six  days,  which  should  have  been  given  out  in  the 
morning,  had  not  yet  been  di.stributed.  An  order  to  this  efl'ect 
was,  accordingly,  at  once  given  out ;  and  it  was  resolved,  that 
if  by  ten  or  eleven  o'clock  that  evening  the  distribution  of  the 
provisions  should  be  finished,  the  retreat  should  be  begun. 
General  Riedcisel  was  to  lead  the  van,  and  General  Phillips  to 
bring  up  the  rear  guard. 


OF  MltS.  (IKXHltAL  lilEDESKl. 


105 


Precisely  at  ten  o'clock,  General  lliedesel  notified  General 
Bur-oyne  that  the  provisions  had  been  distributed,  but  received 
the  unprecedented  answer,  that  it  was  now  too  late,  and  that 
the  army  should  remain  in  their  present  position. 

On  the  morning  of  the  l.'Jth,  the  previous  situation  was  com- 
pletely changed.     The  enemy  had  entirely  surrounded  us,  and 
with  such  skill,  that  in  order  to  attack  him  we  would  be  obliged 
to  cr.KSs  a  marshy  ravine  and  a  steep  hill ;  by  doing  which,  we 
should  be  so  far  removed  from  the  water,  that  he  could  cross 
over  from  the  other  side  and  attack  us  in  the  rear.     ]}y  this 
time,   also,   the  nick  of  time  ior  retreating  was  lost;   and  the 
retreat  itself  entirely  impossible.     The  army,  moreover,   had 
only  five  days'  rations.     Accordingly,  on  the  very  same  day, 
(.eneral  Hurgoyne  summoned  the  commanders  of  battalions  to 
a  general  council  of  war,  in  whicii  the  condition  of  our  army 
and  the  strength  and  position  of  that  of  the  enemy  were  laid 
before  them,      (ieneral  Hurgoyne  then  acknowledged  that  he 
considered   it  an   impossibility  to  attack  the  enemy,  and  that 
even  should  we,  against  all  probability,  beat  him,  the  lack  of 
provisions  would   eflectually  prevent   us  from    reaching  Fort 
George.     To  retreat  was  e.^ually  impossible,  unless  each  one  for 
himself  should  make  his  way  as  well  as  he  could,  throuoh  the 
pathless  forests.     With  provisions  we  could,  it  was  true,  still 
maintain   ourselves   in   our  present  position  for  five  days      At 
the  expiration  of  that  time,  however,  our  situation  would  be 
the  same,  our  position  in  the  centre  and  on  the  right  win-  un- 
tenable, and  the  rout  and  dispersion  of  the  army,  an  eve.rt  not 
only  probable,  but  certain.     After  all  these  arguments  had  been 
carefully  weighed  by  each  one  of  the  council,  (ieneral   B.-r- 
goyne  solemnly  declared,  that  no  one  but  himself  should  answer 
for  the  situation  in  which  the  army  now  found  itself,  since  he 
had  never  asked  any  one  for  advice,  but  had  onlv  asked  obedi- 
ence to  his  orders.     This  frank  declaration,  (ieneral  J{iedescl 
received  with  thanks,  since  by  it,  every  one  would  be  convinced 
that  he  had  had  no  share  in  the  preceding  mtivements;  and  he 

14 


i 


m 

1 

• 


106 


LETTKIts  AM)  .lOVKNAhS 


W- 


there  and  tlien  begged  all  the  Knglish  officers  to  bear  testimony 
to  that  eft'eet,  if  at  any  time  he  should  be  called  to  account. 
Thereupon,  General  IJurgoyne  laid  before  the  council  of  war  the 
following  question.H : 

1st.  Whether  military  hi.story  furnished  any  examples  of  an 
army  having  capitulated  under  similar  circumstances'/ 

2d.  AVhether  the  capitulation  of  an  army  placed  in  such  a 
situation  would  be  disgraceful 't 

3d.  Whether  the  army  was  actually  in  such  a  situation  as  to 
be  obliged  to  capitulate ''. 

To  the  first  (jucstion.  all  answered  that  the  situation  of  the 
Saxon  army,  at  Pirna,  of  (lencral  Fink,  at  ^laxan,  and  of  Prince 
31aurice,  of  Saxony,  was  not  as  bad  and  helple;-s  as  that  in 
which  our  army  found  itself  placed  at  this  present  moment; 
that  no  one  could  have  censured  generals  who,  when  placed  in 
such  a  predicament,  had  capitulated  in  order  to  save  their 
armies;  and  besides  that,  the  king  of  I'russia  had  cashiered 
General  Kink  chiefly  through  personal  dislike. 

To  the  second  (juestion  every  one  again  answered,  that  the 
ca])itulation  could  not  be  disgraceful  for  the  reasons  just  cited. 

In  answer  to  the  third  (juestion,  all  present  declared  that  if 
General  liurgoync  saw  a  possibility  of  attacking  the  enemy, 
they  were  ready  and  willing  to  offer  up  their  blood  and  their 
lives;  but,  if  nothing  could  be  gained  by  such  a  sacrifice,  they 
considered  it  much  better  policy  to  save  to  the  king  his  troops 
by  a  thoroughly  luuiorable  capitulation,  than  by  remaining  still 
longer  in  their  present  dangerous  situation  be  obliged,  after 
all  their  provisions  were  consumed,  to  surrender  at  discretion, 
or,  still  worse,  by  awaiting,  in  their  insecure  position,  an  attack 
from  the  enemy,  to  be  scattered  and  separately  destroyed. 

After  this  unanimous  declar.ation,  (rcneral  IJurgoyne  produced 
the  draught  of  a  capitulation,  which  appeared  advantageous,  and 
without  a  dissenting  voice  was  approved  of  on  the  spot.  Upon 
which  General  liurgoyne  resolved  to  send  a  drummer  into  the 
enemy's  camp,  and  propose  that,  on  the  next  day,  a  staff-officer 


iiF  MIts.  (.ESEn.M.  RlEnEsKL. 


107 


should  be  scut  over  to  confer  Avith  the  American  (leneral  dates, 
who  commanded  tlic  army  of  the  enemy,  upon  aftiiirs  of  -reat 
importance ;  but  in  the  meantime  tliere  was  to  be  a  cessation  of 
hostilities.     To  all  of  this  General  (Jates  agreed. 

On  the  14th,  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon.  Major  Kingston  ' 
was  sent  over  to  the  Americans,  with  the  propositi..ns  of  General 
Burgoyne,  the  principal  one  of  which  was  that  our  army  should 
surrender  themselves  prisoners  of  war  only  on  condition  that 
they  should  be  conveyed  to  Boston  and  from  there  shipped  to 
England,  after  they  had  pledged  themselves  not  to  serve  against 
the  Americans  in  this  war,  or  until  exchaii'-'ed. 

This  condition,  however,  would  not  be  entertained  by  General 
Gates,  who  sent  over  another  plan  of  capitulation,  consisting  of 
six  articles,  the  first  of  which  was  that  the  army  should  be  sur- 
rendered as  prisoners  of  war,  and  the  last,  that  the  troops  should 
stack  their  arms  in  the  entrenchments  which  they  still  occupied, 
and  then  march  to  such  places  as  should  afterwards  be  deter- 
mined upon. 

General  Burgoyne  again  called  together  the  council  of  war. 
and  read  to  it  these  propositions  of  General  Gates.  All  the 
officers  unanimously  declared  that  they  would  rather  die  of 
hunger  than  to  agree  to  such  disgraceful  articles.  -  The  entire 
six  were  therefore  rejected  by  General  Burgoyne,  with  the 
assurance  that  no  other  propositions  would  be  entertained  than 
those  which  he  himself  had  proposed.  Upon  this  the  armistice 
ceased  To  every  one's  great  amazement,  however.  General 
(Jates  sent,  on  the  morning  of  the  15th,  some  new  articles  of 
capitulation,  in  which  he  agreed  to  nearly  all  the  points  previ- 
ously insisted  upon  by  General  Burgoyne,  except  in  a  fc.v 
trifling  matters.  One  point,  however,  was  insisted  upon,  viz  : 
that  the  army  should  march  out  of  their  position  that  very 
same  day  at  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

This  sudden  change  on  the  part  of  General  Gates,  and  the 


1  At  lliis  liiiu'  (Icpuly  luljiifaiitKoiu'ral. 


^h. 


108 


LKTTHns  AM)  .fOC/{.\Af..-! 


last  article  ho  streniiously  insisted  upon,  created  in  our  uiinds 
some  little  hesitation.  The  council  of  war  was  af>ain  convened, 
and  it  was  resolved  that  the  proposals  of  (Icneral  Gates,  just 
received,  should  he  accepted,  hut,  as  tlicy  were  only  prelimina- 
ries, and  many  suhse(|uent  articles  were  to  he  settled  hei'ore 
(leneral  IJurjioyne  could  sign  the  capitulation,  the  time  given 
(two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon)  was  too  short;  and  it  was 
accordingly  proposed  to  appoint  two  stafi-oflicers  from  hoth 
sides,  who  should  settle  hetween  them  the  secondary  articles 
and  arrange  for  both  parties  the  ratification  of  the  treaty. 
Upon  our  side  Lieutenant  Colonel  Southerland  and  Captain 
Craig  were  appointed  ibr  this  purpose.  The  commissioners 
renuiincd  together  until  eleven  o'clock  in  the  evening,  by  which 
time  all  that  we  had  asked  for  was  accorded  by  the  enemy. 
There  was,  it  is  true,  a  sending  backwards  and  forwards  to 
(icnoral  IJurgoync,  upon  various  trifling  points,  but,  as  the 
commissioners  of  the  enemy  granted  every  thing  that  our's 
asked,  (he  hitter,  who  were  i'ully  authorized  to  conclude  the 
treaty,  promised  upon  the  word  of  honor  ol'  themselves  and 
(ieneral  Burgoyne,  that  the  capitulation  should  be  sent  back 
the  following  morning  ratified  by  (ieneral  Burgoyne ;  it  being 
understood,  in  the  meanwhile,  that  the  cessation  of  hostilities 
should  continue. 

The  commissioners  came  back  at  twelve  o'clock  at  nisrht. 
The  same  night  a  deserter  from  the  enemy's  camp  came  into  our's, 
and  told  us  that  he  had  learned,  through  a  third  hand,  that  the 
English  General  Clinton  had  not  only  taken  possession  of  the 
entrenchments  of  the  Highlands,  but  that  he  had,  eight  days 
previously,  moved  up  to  J'^sopus  with  his  troops  and  fleet,  and 
must,  in  all  probability,  have  arrived  by  this  time  at  Albany. 
General  Burgoyne  and  several  officers  were  so  much  elated  by 
this  doubtful  intelligence,  that  a  great  desire  arose  to  break  the 
whole  capitulation.  A  council  of  war  was,  accordingly,  once 
mure  convoked,  ami  the  following  <|«cstions  proposed  for  its 
consideration  : 


»»l 


OF  M/,'S.  (iKXKUM.  lUEDKi^KL. 


101) 


1st.  Whetlicr  a  treaty  which  had  been  definitely  settled  by 
fully  empowered  connnissioners — even  after  the  promise  of  the 
general  to  ratify  all  that  the  connnissioners  had  agreed  upon  — 
could  be  broken  with  honor  'i 

2d.  Whether  the  intelligence  ju.st  received  was  sufficiently 
reliable  to  authorize  us  to  break  so  advantageous  an  agreement 
in  our  present  situation  '! 

8d.  Whether  the  army  had,  indeed,  a  sufficiently  reliant  spirit 
to  defend  their  present  position  to  the  last  man  ? 

On  putting  the  first  question,  fourteen  votes  against  eight 
declared  that  a  treaty,  which  had  been  closed  upon  such  terms, 
and  in  which  the  enemy  had  granted  all  our  demands,  could  not 
be  broken  without  a  violation  of  honor. 

Upon  the  second  question,  the  votes  were  also  divided. 
Those  voting  in  the  negative,  based  their  opinion  en  the  ground 
that  the  intelligence  brought  over  by  the  deserter  was  all  of  it 
only  hearsay.  It  would  be  adifl'erent  matter  if  (Icncral  Clinton 
himself  had  sent  a  courier,  or  if  the  man  had  really  seen  Clin- 
ton's army;  and,  even  assuming  thiit  General  Clinton  was 
actually  at  ^-Esopus,  the  distance  from  there  was  so  great  that 
he  could  not  help  us  a  particle  in  our  melancholy  situation. 

To  the  third  (juestion,  all  the  officers  of  the  left  wing  an- 
swered in  the  affirmative.  IJut  the  officers  of  those  regiments 
composing  the  right  wing,  and  stationed  on  the  low  ground, 
answered  that  all  the  soldiers  would  certainly  display  great 
courage  if  they  should  attack  the  enemy,  hut  that,  as  all  the 
defects  of  our  position  wore  well  known,  it  might  be  ((ucstioned 
whether  they  would  be  able  to  resist  an  assault. 

In  order, however,  to  gain  time,  a  middle  cour.sc  was  atteniptod, 
namely:  (ieneral  1?urgoyne,  early  on  the  morning  of  the  lOth, 
wrote  a  letter  to  (ieneral  dates,  in  which  he  informed  him  that 
he  had  received,  the  previous  night,  from  deserters  and  others, 
intelligence  to  the  effect,  that  he  had,  while  the  negotiations 
were  yet  in  progress,  detached  a  considerable  portion  of  his  force 
to  Albany.     .\s  this  was  against  faith  and  honest  dealing,  he 


s*-. 


no 


LKTThlUS  AS  I)  .KnnSM.X 


could  not  ratify  tlio  capitulation  until  ho  was  convinced  that 
the  opposinji;  army  was  tliree  or  lour  tin\es  lar<j;er  than  his  own; 
therefore,  would  lieneral  (Jates  be  willing  to  show  hiw  army  to 
a  staft'  officer  selected  by  him  ibr  that  purpose  'i  Should  his 
report  confirm  the  superior  force  of  the  American  army,  he 
would  immediately  siyn  the  articles  of  capitulation.  .Major 
Kinj^ston  was  the  bearer  of  this  letter,  and  returned  with  tlie 
answer  of  General  (iates,  to  the  effect,  that  he  could  assure 
him,  upon  his  word  of  honor,  that  his  army  was  of  the  same 
strenj:th  as  it  was  at  the  time  of  his  moving  uj)  to  Saratoga ; 
that  since  that  time,  he  had  received  a  large  accession  by  liaving 
been  reinforced  by  a  brigade ;  that  during  the  negotiation  iu)t 
a  single  post  had  been  reduced;  and,  finally,  that  to  show  one 
of  our  staff  officers  the  strength  of  his  army,  would  be  as 
impolitic  as  it  would  be  detrimental  to  his  honor;  and  that  it 
could  not,  therefore,  be  allowed.  Further,  that  General  ]}ur- 
goync  ought  to  think  the  matter  well  over  before  he  broke  his 
word  of  honor,  and  became  answerable  for  the  consequences. 
As  soou,  however,  as  the  capitulation  should  be  ratified,  he 
would  be  prepared  to  show  General  IJurgoyne  his  whole  army; 
and  he  pledged  him  his  honor,  that  he  would  find  it  was  four 
times  stronger  than  his  own,  not  reckoning  the  troops  posted 
opposite  upon  the  other  side  of  the  Hudson,  lie  could  not, 
however,  now  grant  him  more  than  an  hour'.s  time  for  his  an- 
swer ;  and  after  the  expiration  of  that  time,  he  would  be  forced 
to  take  the  most  stringent  measures. 

Upon  this,  the  council  of  war  was  once  more  convoked  to 
carefully  consider  the  situation  in  all  of  its  bearings;  when  it  at 
once  appeared,  that  those  eight,  who  before  were  in  favor  of 
breaking  the  treaty,  now  were  of  just  the  contrary  opinion.  General 
IJurgoyne  drew  Generals  lliedesel  and  Phillips  off  on  one  side, 
and  begged  their  friendly  counsel.  At  first  both  were  silent, 
until,  finally,  General  lliedesel  declared,  that  if  General  Bur- 
goync  should  bi'  held  answerable  in  Kngland  for  his  conduct, 
it  could  only  be  for  those  movements  which  had  brought  the 


'/F  M /,'.<.   (,/;.\A7,'.l/,  ltlElih:sh:i.. 


Ill 


army  into  such  a  .situiitioii;  for  liaviiij,'  made  the  first  overtures 
for  u  capitulation,  and  ibr  not  havin|j;  retreated  earlier,  a  course 
whicli  would  have  made  hiui  master  of  the  communication  with 
Fort  Georue.  But,  that  now,  after  all  the  steps  which  had 
been  taken,  to  break  the  treaty  on  account  of  intellij;ence  that 
was  uncertain  and  not  to  be  depended  upon,  he  considered  still 
more  hazardous.  ]Jrif,'adier  Hamilton,  who  had  joined  us,  and 
liad  also  been  consulted,  coincided  in  this  opinion,  (ieneral 
IMiillips,  however,  said  nothiufr,  except  that  the  situation  of 
affairs  was  such,  that  he  could  neither  jiive  advice,  nor  discover 
any  way  out  of  our  predicament.  After  much  deliberation  />/•'>  and 
con,  (jeneral  IJurgoyne,  finally,  determined  to  ratify,  and  there- 
upon the  ratified  capitulation  was  sent  over  by  ^Iaj(U'  Kinjj;ston. 
On  tlic  17th  of  October,  tiie  army  marched  off,  and  every 
thing  was  performed  according  to  the  articles  of  capitulation, 
(reneral  dates  had  his  entire  army,  which  was  this  side  of  the 
Hudson,  marched  over  on  to  the  opposite  bank  of  the  Fish  kill. 
Some  officers  who  were  ordered  to  review  it  for  the  purpose  of 
countintr,  found  that  it  was  between  twenty-three  and  twenty- 
four  thousand  men  strong.  (ieneral  lliedesel  ordered  that 
none  of  the  colors  should  be  surrendered  to  tlie  enemy  with  the 
arms;  but  that  the  staffs  should  be  burned,  and  the  cloths 
carefully  packed  up.  These  orders  were  strictly  carried  out,  so 
that  every  cue  of  the  German  regiments  retained  its  colors. 


The  memoir  from  which  the  preceding  is  an  extract,  is  dated 
at  Stillwater,  on  the  day  after  the  capitulation  at  Saratoga  — 
the  18th  of  October  —  and  signed  and  attested  by  all  those  officers 
who  were,  at  that  time,  commanders  of  the  German  regiments 
and  battalions.  As  a  supplement,  it  may  lune  be  added,  that 
after  tlie  captured  army  had  arrived  at  Cambridge,  near  Boston, 
the  American  congress  did  not  ratify  the  stipulated  article  in 
the  capitulation,  that  the  troops  should  be  shipped  from  Boston 
to  PiUgland,  and  they  were,  therefore,  obliged,  contrary  to  the 
treaty,  to  remain  in  America  us  prr.'<oiiers  of  war. 


•<»•. 


112 


LtyriKiis  .\si>  jorttsALs. 


This  point  (tccasionod  a  j;ro!it  debate  in  congress.  Upon  the 
qnestion  whctlier,  in  roi-aid  to  tills  particuhir  artirlo,  the  capi- 
tulation sliould  be  strictly  adhered  to,  the  votes  were  divided  ; 
and  It  was  only  owing  to  the  influence  and  insinuations  of 
(ieneral  Lafayette  —  at  that  time  with  the  Americans  —  that 
the  aft'air,  as  already  mentioned,  was  decided  to  tlic  detriment 
of  the  Miigllsh  and  (icrman  troops;  for  he,  easily  foreseeing  an 
impending  rupture  between  Kngland  and  France,  wished  to 
guard  against  the  king  of  Kngland  having  the  use  of  this  army 
elsewhere.  To  overcome  all  the  scruples  of  congress,  Jiafayette 
cited  the  case  of  Kloster  Seven,  in  the  Seven  Years'  war,  when 
the  Knglish  allowed  themselves  to  break  the  capitulation. 

When  General  Hurgoyne  brought  forward  the  first  rough 
draft  of  the  capitulation,  General  Hiedesel  advised  him  to 
propose  rather  to  General  Gates,  that  the  troops  should  return 
to  Canada  without  arms,  and  on  the  condition,  that  they  should 
not  .serve  during  this  war  against  the  Americans  unless  ex-  • 
changed.  IJut  General  IJurgoyne  was  of  the  opinion  it  would 
be  useless  to,  think  of  it,  as  such  a  proposition  would  not  be 
entertained  by  the  enemy  for  a  moment;  and,  therefore,  pro- 
posed that  the  troops  should  be  transported  to  IJoston,  and  from 
there  shipped  to  England.  Afterwards,  however,  when  this 
thing  was  talked  over  during  the  march,  the  adjutant  general 
of  General  Gates,  gave  it  as  his  opinion,  that  this  stipulation 
would  probably  have  been  agreed  to,  as,  on  account  of  the  great 
scarcity  of  provisions,  they  had  been  at  their  wits'  ends  to  know 
how  they  should  support  the  troops  on  the  march  to  Boston. 
If,  therefore,  (Jcneral  Burgnyne  had  followed  the  advice  of 
General  Hiedesel,  this  army  would  have  been  saved  to  England; 
could  have  been  employed  elsewhere ;  and  thus  been  spared  the 
many  hardships  which  it  afterward  experienced. 


CONTINUATION  OF  MRS.  GENERAL  RIEDE- 
SEL'S  ADVENTURES. 


^Wlien   the  army  again  moved,  ou  the  lltli  of  September, 
1777,  it  was  at  first  inteuded  to  leave  me  behind;  but  upon  my 
urgent  entreaties,  and  as  other  hidies  were  to  follow  the  army  I 
reneived,  finally,  the  same  permission.     We  made  only  small 
day's  marches,  and  were  very  often  sick;  yet  always  contented 
at  being  allowed  to  follow.     I  had  still  the  satisfiiction  of  daily 
seeing  my  husband.     A  great  part  of  my  baggage  I  had  sent 
back,  and  had   kept  only  a  small  summer  wardrobe.     In  the 
beginning  all  went  well.     We  cherished  the  sweet  hope  of  a 
sure  victory,   and  of  coming  into  the  "promised  land;"  and 
when  we  passed  the  Hudson  river,  and  General  Uurgoyne  said, 
"  The  English   never  lose  ground,"  our  spirits  were  greatly 
exhilarated.     But  that  which  displeased  me  was,  that  the  wives 
of  all  the  officers  belonging  to  the  expedition,  knew  beforehand 
every  thing  that  was  to  happen;  and  this  seemed  the  more 
singular  to  me,  as  I  had  observed,  when  in  the  armies  of  the 
Duke  Ferdinand,  during  the  Seven  Years'  war,  with  how  much 
secrecy  every  thing  was  conducted.*    But  here,  on  the  contrary, 

»  Lictenant  A.il.urcy  made  a  si.nilar  re.nark,  ,vl,on  the  army  was  yet  In  Canada  • 
W  c  have  more  dnnserons  encMuio.  a.  lu.nR.,  than  any  we  have  to  enconnter  abroad  '■ 
for  all  the  rannacfons  that  are  to  take  place,  are  publicly  known,  Ions  before  !!.«; 
areolHcallygncn  out  in  orders;  and  I  n,ake  no  doubt,  but  you  will  be  as  m  eh 
snrpr  .ed  a.  the  genera,  [«urgoyneJ  wa..  when  I  tell  you,  that  the  w'.ole  opTral  ' 
of  the  ensuing  campaign  were  canvassed  for  several  days  before  he  arrived,  who  no 

15 


•%>-. 


^ 


m 


Ill 


i.hrrh/i's  AX/)  .nuiisM.s 


the  Aiiicricans  were  apprised  beforeliaiid  of  all  our  intentioiiH; 
so  tliat  at  every  plaee  wliere  we  eaine  tlioy  already  awaited  uh; 
a  eircunistaiicc  whieli  hurt  us  exceedingly.  On  the  I'.lth  of 
September,  tlicro  was  unaft'air  between  the  two  armies,  which,  it  is 
true,  ended  to  our  advantage  ;  altlnmgh  wc  were,  nevertheless, 
obliged  to  make  a  halt  at  a  place  called  Freennin's  farm.  I 
was  an  eye  witness  of  the  whole  affair  ;  and  as  I  knew  that  my 
hu.sband  was  in  the  midst  of  it,  T  was  full  of  caro  and  anguish, 
and  shivered  at  every  shot,  for  I  could  hear  every  thing.  I 
saw  a  great  number  of  wounded,  and  what  was  still  more  har- 
rowing, they  even  brought  three  of  them  into  the  house  where 
I  was.  One  of  these  was  Major  Ilarnage,  the  husband  of  a 
lady  of  »iur  company ;  another,  a  lieutenant,  whose  wife,  also, 
was  of  our  ac(|uaintanco;  and  the  third,  a  young  Knglish  officer 
of  the  name  of  Young.  Major  Ilarnage,  with  his  wife,  lived 
in  a  room  next  to  mine.  lie  had  received  a  shot  through 
the  lower  part  of  the  bowels,  from  which  he  suffered  exceed- 
ingly. A  few  days  after  our  arrival,  I  heard  plaintive  moans 
in  another  room  near  me,  and  learned  that  they  came  from 
Young,  the  young  English  officer  just  mentioned,  who  was 
lying  very  low. 

I  was  the  more  interested  in  him,  since  a  family  of  that  name 
had  shown  me  much  courtesy  during  my  sojourn  in  England. 
1  tendered  him  my  se.vices,  and  sent  him  provisions  and  re- 


(toiil)t  eiippoBcd  that  In  slvlnj;  out  liin  orders,  he  ^vn.^  comnuiiiicatiiif;  an  cntiro 
Hi'crct.  ♦  ♦  *  (Jrcat  cccri'cy,  on  tlie  contrary,  wan  ()l)Hervi'd  in  tlio 
Anicriam  amiy."—  Montreal,  May  ai.  177".  vol.  I.  p.  "^W.  Tlie  work  from  wliich  tliis 
extract  Im  taken,  if  intlie  Slate  Lil)rary.  at  All)any,  X.  Y. 

A  paiiMa^'e,  also,  from  tlie  IliMonj  of  the  O'ennan  Avfiliaries  in  America  —  an  iii- 
valunlile  work,  by  the?  way.  an  it  is  made  up  of  the  manuscrii)t  journals  of  those 
otllcers  and  i)rivates  who  served  in  the  war  — explains  the  reason  of  this  want  of 
secrecy  more  fully.  "  The  country  peoi)le.  whom  Burjjoyne  met  on  Ids  march, 
pretended  to  be  jrood  royalists,  which  he  implicitly  believed ;  so  that  he  allowed 
them  not  only  to  bear  their  arms  as  hitherto,  but  to  walk  about  the  whole  cam))  nt 
their  option,  and  without  any  restraint.  These  men,  however,  were  anythinf.'  but 
royalists.  They,  coiiseipiently,  improved  the  opportunity,  jjaining  intelligence  of 
all  the  occurrences  in  tlie  army  by  appearances,  and  forthwith  C(mimunicated  to 
tlie  commanders  of  the  eiu'my's  forces,  that  whicli  llicy  had  seen  and  heard." 


r 


OF  Mils.  iih:xh:iiM.  iiih:i)t:sh:i.. 


115 


iVoslmu>iits.  III!  oxpiTSMfcl  a  j^'rwit  ilosiro  to  hoc  iiis  hoiicliiotross, 
us  ho  oalloil  1110.  I  wont  t(i  him,  and  found  him  lyinj,'  on  « 
litth!  straw,  for  he  liad  lost  his  camp  O(|niim,no.  Ilo  was  a 
youn;-'  man,  pmbahly  oij;litoon  or  ninotoon  yoars  ohl ;  and, 
actually,  tlio  own  nojihcw  of  the  Mr.  Youn-;,  whom  1  had  ivuown, 
and  tho  only  scm  of  his  parents.  It  was  only  for  this  reason 
that  he  grieved;  on  account  of  his  own  sufferings  ho  uttered 
no  complaint.  He  had  bled  considerably,  and  tlioy  wished  to 
take  off  his  log,  but  he  could  in>t  bring  his  mind  to  it,  and  now 
mortification  liad  sot  in.  I  sent  him  pillows  and  coverings, 
and  my  women  servants  a  mattress.  I  redoubled  my  care  of 
him,  and  visited  him  every  day,  for  which  I  received  from 
the  sufferer  a  thou.sand  blessings.  Finally,  they  attempted  tho 
amputation  of  the  limb,  but  it  was  too  lato,  and  he  died  a  few 
days  afterward.  As  ho  occupied  an  apartment  close  to  mine, 
and  tho  walls  wore  very  thin,  I  could  hear  his  lust  groans 
through  the  partition  of  my  room. 

I  lived  in  a  pretty  well  built  house,  in  which  I  had  a  largo 
room.  The  doors  and  the  wainscot  were  of  solid  cedar,  a  wood 
that  is  very  common  in  tliis  vicinity.  They  burn  it  frequently, 
especially  when  there  aro  many  midges  around,  as  these  in.sects 
cannot  stand  tho  odor  of  it.  It  is  said,  however,  that  its  smoke 
ia  very  injurious  to  tlio  nerves,  so  much  so,  indeed,  as  to  cause 
women  with  child  to  bring  forth  prematurely.  As  we  were  to 
march  farther,  I  had  a  large  calash  made  for  nie,  in  which  I, 
my  children,  and  both  my  women  servants  liad  seats;  and 
in  this  uianner  I  followed  the  army,  in  tho  midst  of  tho  soldiers, 
who  were  merry,  singing  songs,  and  burning  with  a  desire  for 
victory.  We  passed  through  boundless  forests  and  magnificent 
tracts  of  country,  which,  however,  were  abandoned  by  all  the 
inhabitants,  who  fled  before  us,  and  reinforced  the  army  of  the 
American  general,  Gates.  In  the  sequel  this  cost  us  dearly, 
for  every  one  of  them  was  a  soldier  by  nature,  and  could  slioot 
very  well ;  besides,  the  thought  of  figliting  for  their  fatherland 
and  their  freedom,   inspired  them  with  still   greater  courage. 


ii<; 


IKTIKIIS  .Wit  .KilltSM.S. 


During  tliis  time,  my  liuHbaiul  wftS  oblimnl  to  oncniiip  with  tlio 
iiiiiiii  bddy  (if  tlio  army.  I  remaiiit'd  iilioiit  iiii  liuur'H  niiircli 
bi'hiiul  the  army,  and  vinited  my  husband  ovory  iiKirniiij;  in  the 
I'limp.  Very  often  I  took  my  noon  meal  with  liim,  but  niowt  of 
the  time  lio  came  over  to  my  <(uarters  and  eat  with  me.  The 
army  were  cnj^aj,'ed  daily  in  Hinall  ."skirmishes,  but  all  of  them 
of  little  eonHe((iienee.  31y  poor  liuHband,  however,  durinj;  the 
whole  time,  eould  nut  ^et  a  chaneo  oitlier  to  ^o  tu  bed  or 
nndre.xH.  As  the  sea.'ion  had  now  beeome  more  inclement,  a 
Colonel  WillianiH  of  the  artillery,  observing,'  that  our  nmtual 
vLsits  were  very  fati;j;uing,  offered  to  have  a  house  built  for  me, 
with  a  chimney,  that  .should  not  cost  more  tlian  five  or  six  gui- 
neas, and  which  I  eould  steadily  occupy.  I  took  him  up,*  and 
the  house,  which  was  twenty  feet  s(|uaie,  and  had  a  good  tirc- 
plaee,  was  begun.  They  called  it  the  block-house.  For  such 
a  structure,  large  trees  of  equal  tliickness  are  selected,  which 
are  joined  together,  making  it  very  durable  and  warm,  espe- 
cially if  covered  with  clay.  I  was  to  remove  into  it  the  follow- 
ing day,  and  was  the  more  rejoiced  at  it,  as  the  nights  were 
already  damp  and  cold,  and  my  husband  could  live  in  it  with 
me,  us  he  would  then  be  very  near  his  camp.  Suddenly,  how- 
ever, on  the  7th  of  October,  my  husband,  with  the  whole  general 
staff,  decamped.  Our  misfortunes  maybe  said  to  date  from  this 
moment.  I  had  just  sat  down  wit4i  my  husband  at  his  quarters 
to  breakfast.  Cieneral  Frazer,  and,  I  believe,  Generals  Burgoyne 
and  I'hillips,  also,  wore  to  have  dined  with  me  on  that  same 
day.  I  observed  considerable  movement  among  the  troops. 
My  husband  thereupon  informed  me,  that  there  was  to  be  a 
reconnoissancc,  wliich,  however,  did  not  surprise  me,  as  this 
often  happened.  On  my  way  homeward,  I  met  many  savages 
in  their  war-dress,  armed  with  guns.  To  my  question  where 
they  were  going,  they  cried  out  to  me,  "  War !  war !  "  which 
meant  that  they  were  going  to  figlit.      This  completely  over- 


*  A  Koimliie  Yankeu  cxprcBsloii,  but,  novertholess,  literally  so  In  the  origiuul. 


<«►•. 


iittt 


o 

ta 
m 

n 

CO 


J.KTTEHS  .\.\Ii  ,/of/,'XA/.s. 


MO 


whelmed   inc,  and   I  liad  scarcely  got  back  to  my  quarters  * 
when  I  heard  skirmish  in  J.^  and  firing',  wliich  by  degrees,  became 
constantly  heavier,  until,  finally,  the  noises  became  frightful. 
It  was  a  terrible  cannonade,  and  I  was  more  dead  than  alive. 
About  three   o'clock  in  the  afternoon,   iu  place  of  the  guests 
who  were  to  have  dined  with  me,  they  brought  in  to  me,  upon  a 
litter,  poor  General  Frazer  (one  of  my  expected  guests),  mor- 
tally wounded.     Our  dining  table,  which  was  already  spread, 
was  taken  away,  and  in  its  place  they  fixed  up  a  bed  for  the 
general.     I  sat  in  a  corner  of  the  room  trembling  and  quaking. 
The  noises  grew  continually  louder.     The  thought  that  they 
might  bring  in  my  husband  in  the  same  manner  was  to  me 
dreadful,    and    tormented   me   inces.-iantly.     The   general   .said 
to  the  surgeon,  "  Do  not  conceal  any  thing  from  me.     Must  I 
die?"     The  ball   had  gone  through  his  bowels,    precisely  as 
in  the  case  of  3Iajor  Ilarnage.     Unfortunately,  however,  the 
general  had   eaten  a  hearty  breakfast,  by  reason  of  which  the 
intestines  were  distended,  and  the  ball,  so  the  surgeon  said,  had 
not  gone,  as  in  the  case  of  3Iajor  Ilarnage,  between  the  intes- 
tines, but  through  them.     I  heard  him  often,  amidst  his  groans, 
exclaim,  "  Oh,  fatal  ambition  !     Poor  General  IJurgoyne  !     My 
poor  wife  !  "     I'rayers  were  read  to  him.     He  then  sent  a  mes- 
sage to  General  Burgoync,  begging  that  he  would  have  him 
buried  the  following  day  at  six  o'clock  in  the  evening,  on  the 


*  Tho  qimrtiu-!'  wliicli  Mr^^.  UUdcsol  then  ()(;oii|)iwl.  iiiul  in  wliich  (ioiionil  Fruzer 
died.  lm«  Hiiice  boiMi  liiiowu  as  IIk'  Smllli  lldiisc,  and  iiiiist  not  hi.'  ('(inlbiindcd  (as 
lias  soiiu'tinii's  lieen  doiii')  witli  tlic  lu'iid-i|iiai'tci-t!  of  niir;,Myno,  iu  wliidi  llii! 
liannioHH  had  lluit  moniiiiir  talii'n  ))i-cal<l'asf  witli  Iht  luislmiid.  It  was  situated 
three  miles  and  u  liulf  south  ol"  Kish  eivek.  and,  at  tlie  time  of  tlie  battle,  stooil  by 
the  roadi-ide,  on  the  west  mai-L'iu  ol'  the  inlervales.  at  the  foot  of  llii^  risim,'  fjronnd. 
When,  some  years  afterward,  the  present  turnpike  road  was  eonstnieted,  ruiiuinj^ 
twenty  or  thirty  rods  east  of  the  (;ld  road,  tlie  latter  was  diseoutiiiued,  and  .Mr. 
Smith  drew  the  house  to  the  west  side  of  the  turnpike,  and  turned  it  into  a  tavern. 
The  late  Theodore  Dwi^'ht  (who  was  killed  on  Ihe  New  Jersey  rail  road,  in  October 
of  last  year.  IsiMi),  visited  the  spot  in  ISJO.  and  made  a  drawiiia:  of  Ihe  house,  which 
was  then  slill  standin;:.  ThrouLrh  his  kindm'ss.  I  received  from  him,  but  three 
days  before  his  death,  his  ori^'inal  draft,  from  which  the  cnf,'raviii};,  on  the  opposite 
pa;,'e,  has  been  taken. 


V. 


'Ills, 


!liv 


120 


LKTTERH  AW  JOVIIXALS 


top  of  a  hill,  which  was  a  sort  of  a  redoubt.*  1  knew  no  longer 
which  way  to  turn.  Tlie  whole  entry  and  the  other  rooms  were 
filled  with  the  sick,  who  were  suffering  with  the  camp-sickness, 
a  kind  of  dysentery.  Finally,  toward  evening,  I  saw  my  hus- 
band coming,  upon  which  I  forgot  all  my  sufferings,  and  thanked 
God  that  he  had  spared  him  to  me.  He  ate  in  great  haste  with 
me  and  his  adjutant,  behind  the  house.  We  had  been  told 
that  we  had  gained  an  advantage  over  the  enemy,  but  the 
sorrowful  and  down-cast  faces  which  I  beheld,  bore  witness  to 
the  contrary,  and  before  my  husband  again  went  away,  he  drew 
me  one  side  and  told  me  that  every  thing  might  go  f  very  badly, 
and  that  I  must  keep  myself  in  constant  readiness  for  departure, 
but  by  no  means  to  give  any  one  the  least  inkling  of  what  I 
was  doing.  I  therefore  pretended  that  I  wished  to  move  into 
my  new  house  the  next  morning,  and  had  every  thing  packed 
up.  My  lady  Ackland  occupied  a  tent  not  far  from  our  house. 
In  this  she  slept,  but  during  the  day  was  in  the  camp.  Sud- 
denly one  came  to  tell  her  that  her  hu.sband  was  mortally 
wounded,  and  had  been  taken  prisoner.  At  this  she  became 
very  wretched.  AVe  comforted  her  by  saying  that  it  was  only 
a  slight  wound,  but  as  no  one  could  nurse  him  as  well  as  her- 
self, we  counseled  her  to  go  at  once  to  him,  to  do  which  she 
could  certainly  obtain  permission.  She  loved  him  very  much, 
although  he  was  a  plain,  rough  man,  and  was  almost  daily 
intoxicated;  with  this  exception,  however,  he  wiis  an  excellent 
officer.  She  was  the  loveliest  of  women.  I  spent  the  night  in  , 
this  manner — at  one  time  comforting  her,  andat  another  looking 
after  my  children,  whom  I  had  put  to  bed.  As  for  myself,  I 
could  not  go  to  sleep,  as  I  had  General  Frazer  and  all  the  other 
gentlemen   in   my  room,  and   was  constantly  afraid  that  my 


♦  In  his  State  of  Ike  Ej-jn-dilion,  Biirgoyue  Kpeaks  of  it  as  tlie  Great  Kt'doiiljt. 

t  Tlie  tense  used  in  tlie  original  answers  to  our  imperfect  potential  (as  in  llie  te.xt), 
anil  not  tlie  liiiperfeet  indicative  ( ••  went  "  )  as  in  the  previous  English  translation. 
This  is  not  so  unimportant  as  might  at  llrsi  appear;  since  it  sliows  how  extremely 
cautious  (ieneral  Hiedesel  was —  even  wlieii  speaking  to  his  wile  — of  saying  any 
thing,  that  liy  any  possihility  might  injure  tlie  cause,  before  the  action  was  ended. 


OF  MUS.  <lE.\h:i{.\r.  IllKnKsKi,. 


Vl\ 


children  would  wake  up  and  cry,  and  thus  disturb  the  poor  dying 
man,  who  often  scut  to  beg  my  pardon  for  making  me  so  much 
trouble.  About  three  o'clock  in  the  morning,  tliey  told  me 
that  he  could  not  last  much  longer.  I  iiiid  desired  to  be  ap- 
prised (if  the  approach  of  this  moment.  I,  accordingly,  wrapped 
up  the  children  in  the  bed  coverings,  and  went  with  them  into 
the  entry.  Early  iu  the  morning,  at  eight  o'clock,  he  expired.* 
After  they  had  washed  the  corpse,  they  wrapped  it  in  a  sheet, 
and  laid  it  on  a  bedstead.  We  then  again  came  into  the  room, 
and  had  this  sad  sight  before  us  the  whole  day.  At  every 
instant,  also,  wounded  officers  of  my  ac(juaiutance  arrived,  and 
the  cannonade  again  began.  A  retreat  was  spoken  of,  but 
there  was  not  the  least  movement  made  toward  it.  About  four 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  I  saw  the  new  house  which  had  been 
built  for  me,  in  flames  :  the  enemy,  therefore,  were  not  far  from 
us.  \Vn  learned  that  General  15urgoyue  intended  to  fulfill  the 
last  wish  of  General  Frazer,  and  to  have  him  buried  at  six 
o'clock,  in  the  place  designated  by  him.  This  occasioned  an 
unnecessary  delay,  to  which  a  part  of  the  misfortunes  of  the 
army  was  owing.  Precisely  at  six  o'clock  the  corpse  was 
brought  out,  and  we  saw  the  entire  body  of  generals  with  their 
retinues  on  the  hill  assisting  at  the  obsequies.  The  English 
chaplain,  Mr.  Brudeuel,  performed  the  funeral  services.  The 
cannon  balls  flew  continually  around  and  over  the  party.  The 
American  general,  Gates,  afterward  said,  that  if  he  had  known 
that  it  was  a  burial  he  would  not  have  allowed  any  firing  in 
that  direction.  Many  cannon  balls  also  flew  not  far  from  me, 
but  I  had  my  eyes  fixed  upon  the  liill,j-  where  I  distinctly  saw 


*  "  Never  more  shall  he  chiifc  the  rod  (k^er  througli  the  heather  of  Strath  Evriek, 
or  fruide  the  fkifl'  aerosg  the  futhomles;*  lake  of  ceiitml  Stiillaiid.  or  niufeover  the 
ruin  of  the  Stuarts  on  the  moor  of  lJnim-mo>ifie,  or  dieam  of  ghiry  l)eside  the 
crystal  waterH  of  llie  Netfs.  Death  in  itself  in  not  terrible;  hut  he  came  to  .Ame- 
rica for  cdtlsh  advancement,  and  thouf,'li  bravely  true  as  a  soldier,  he  died  uneon- 
f'OV'iX."—  Huiicrufl'n  Itvlution  of  the  Ikalli  of  Frazer,  Voi.  IX,  p.  ll'.l. 

+  The  heiu'ht  occupied  by  Burgoyne  on  the  isth,  which  ran  parallel  with  the 
river  until  it  approached  (ieneral  (iates's  camp. 


i^^. 


•fFP- 


122 


LKTTEHS  A.\l)  JOCllXALS 


my  Imsband  in  the  midst  of  the  enemy's  fire,  and  therefore  T 
could  not  think  of  my  own  danj^er.* 

Tlie  order  had  gone  forth  that  the  army  should  break  up 
after  the  burial,  and  the  horses  were  already  harnessed  to  our 
calashes.  I  did  not  wish  to  set  out  before  the  troops.  The 
wounded  Major  Ilarnage,  although  he  was  so  ill,  dragged  him- 
self out  of  bed,  that  he  might  not  remain  in  the  hospital,  which 
was  left  behind  protected  by  a  flag  of  truce.  As  soon  as  he 
observed  me  in  the  midst  of  the  danger,  he  had  my  children 
and  maid  servants  put  into  the  calashes,  and  intimated  to  me 
that  I  must  immediately  depart.  As  T  still  begged  to  be  al- 
lowed to  remain,  he  said  to  me,  "  well,  then  your  children  at 
least  must  go,  that  I  may  save  them  from  tlie  slightest  danger." 
He  understood  how  to  take  advantage  of  my  weak  side.  1  gave 
it  up,  seated  myself  inside  with  them,  and  we  drove  off"  at  eight 
o'clock  in  the  evening. 

The  greatest  silence  had  been  enjoined ;  fires  had  been  kin- 
dled in  every  direction  ;  and  many  tents  left  standing,  to  make 
the  enemy  believe  that  the  camp  was  still  there.  We  traveled 
continually  the  whole  night.  Ijittle  Frederica  was  afraid,  and 
would  often  begin  to  cry.  I  was,  therefore,  obliged  to  hold  a 
pocket  handkerchief  over  her  mouth,  lest  our  whereabouts 
should  be  discovered. 

At  six  o'clock  in  the  morning  a  halt  was  made,  at  which 
every  one  wondered.     General  liurgoyne  had  all  the  cannon 


*(;ciu'ral  I!iir;,'<pyno.  in  h[»  .Stuft  of  Ihc  Exjiedilion,  p.  Kitt,  ilcreribes  this  scene, 
in  his  usually  IclicilDUs  stylo,  as  follows: 

"Tho  incossant  cannonade  duiini^  the  soletnnity;  the  steady  attitude  and  unal- 
tered voice  with  which  the  clia|)lain  olHciated,  though  frequently  covered  with 
dust,  which  the  shot  threw  upon  all  sidtsof  hini;  the  nuite  but  expressive  mi.\ture 
of  sensibility  and  indignation  upon  every  countenance ;  these  objects  will  remain 
to  the  last  of  life  iijion  the  mind  of  every  man  wlio  was  present.  The  ^xrowinj; 
dusl<iiiess  added  to  the  scenery,  and  the  whole  marked  a  character  of  tlwit  juncture 
that  would  make  one  of  tlie  llnest  subjects  f(u-  the  jiencil  of  a  nnister  that  the  Held 
ever  exhibited.  To  the  canvas,  and  to  the  faithful  paije  of  a  UKue  important  his- 
torian, frallnni  friend!  I  eonsifrn  thy  memory,  There  may  thy  talents,  thy  nnmly 
virtues,  their  proirress.  and  their  period,  tlnd  due  distinction  ;  and  lon;L;inay  lliey 
survive,  long  alter  the  frail  record  of  my  pen  shall  be  forgotten  I  " 


I  ' 


OF  M//S.  <!K\h:ilAL  niKDK^KL. 


1 23 


ranged  and  counted,  wliicli  worried  all  of  us,  as  a  few  more 
trood  inarches  would  have  placed  us  in  security.*  My  husband 
vas  completely  exhausted,  and  seated  himself  durinj^'  this  delay, 
iu  my  calash,  where  my  maid  servants  were  oblij^ed  to  make 
room  for  hiui;  and  wliere  he  slept  nearly  three  hours  with  his 
head  upon  my  shoulder.  Tn  tlie  mean  time,  Captain  Willoe 
brought  me  his  pocket-book  containing  bank  bills,  and  Captain 
Geisiuar,  his  beautiful  watch,  a  ring,  and  a  well  filled  purse, 
and  begged  me  to  keep  all  these  for  tliem.  I  promised  them 
to  do  my  utmost.  At  la.st,  the  army  again  began  its  marcli,  but 
scarcely  liad  we  proceeded  an  hour  on  the  way,  when  a  fresh 
halt  was  made,  in  consequence  of  the  enemy  being  in  sight. 
They  were  about  two  hundred  men  who  came  lo  reconnoitre, 
and  who  might  easily  have  been  taken  prisoners  by  our  troops, 
had  not  General  Burgoyne  lost  his  head.f  It  rained  in  torrents. 
My  lady  Ackland  had  her  tent  set  up.  I  advised  her  once 
more  to  betake  herself  to  her  husband,  as  she  could  be  so  useful 
to  him  in  his  present  situation.  Finally,  she  yielded  to  my 
solicitations,  and  sent  a  message  to  General  Burgoyne,  through 
his  adjutant,  my  Lord  Patterson, |  begging  permission  to  leave 
the  camp.  I  told  her  that  she  should  insist  on  it ;  which  she 
did,  and  finally  obtained  his  consent.  The  Englisli  chaplain, 
Mr.  Brudenel,  accompanied  her;  and,  bearing  a  flag  of  truce, 
they  went  together  in  a  boat  over  to  the  enemy. §     There  is  a 


♦General  Biirgoyne  explains  liis  reason  lor  tliis  halt  ilitVerently.  -'A  halt  was 
necessary  to  refresh  the  troops,  and  to  jjive  time  to  tln>  liatennx.  loaded  with  provi- 
sions!, which  had  not  Ix'en  ahle  to  keep  pace  willi  the  troops,  to  come  abreast.'" — 
State  of  the  Kviitilition^  j).  ITO. 

+  1.  e.,  lost  his  presence  of  mind. 

t  General  Ilnrijoyne's  three  aid-de-eaini)s  were  Captain  Lord  Petersham.  Lieu- 
tenant Willbrd,  and  Charles  (ireen.  The  i)arole  of  liiirfroyne's  officers  —  the  ori- 
ginal of  which  is  in  thepossessicmof  J.  \Vini;ateTlioniton,  Es(i.,of  lioston,  Mass.— 
makes  no  mention  of  any  officer  by  the  name  of  Patterson.  Mrs.  Hiedesel,  wliose 
spellinj,'  of  Eni;lish  names  is  natnrally  not  always  accurate,  jirolmbly  means  Lord 
Petersham,  who  was  afterward  Karl  of  Uarringlon,  Viscount  I'elersliam,  and  in 
ITitS,  lientenant  ueneral  in  the  liritish  army. 

§The  jrallant  hearini;  of  the  answer,  which  (ieneral  Gates  retnrned.  by  Cliaiilain 
llriidenel,  lo  the  letter  wliidi  linrgoyne  sent  him  by  Lady  Ackland,  recommending 


'4h. 


!!•    : 


"kii 


'I 
1,1 


12  i 


LKlTEliS  AM)  Juni.SALS 


fUiiiiliiir  Jiiid  bciiiitiful  cngniviiiij;  of  this  event  in  existence.  T 
saw  lier  aj^aiu  afterward  in  Albany,  at  which  time  her  husband 
was  almost  entirely  recovered,  and  both  thanked  me  heartily 
for  my  advice. 

On  the  9th,  we  spent  the  whole  day  in  a  pouring  rain,  ready 
to  march  at  a  moment's  warning.  The  savages  had  lost  their 
courage,  and  they  were  seen  in  all  directions  going  home.  The 
slightest  reverse  of  ibrtune  discouraged  them,  especially  if 
there  was  nothing  to  plunder.  My  chambermaid  did  nothing, 
cursed  her  situation,  and  tore  out  her  hair.  I  entreated  her  to 
compose  herself,  or  else  she  would  be  taken  for  a  savage.  Upon 
this  she  became  still  more  frantic,  and  asked,  "  whether  that 
would  trouble  me '(  "  And  when  I  answered  "  yes,"  she  tore  her 
bonnet  oft'  her  head,  letting  her  hair  hang  down  over  her  face, 
and  said,  '•  You  talk  well  I  You  have  your  husband  !  IJut  we 
have  luithing  to  look  forward  to,  except  dying  miserably  on  the 
one  hand,  or  losing  all  we  possess  on  the  other  !  "  Respecting 
this  last  complaint,   I  promised,  in  order  to  quiet  her,  that  I 


her  to  the  iirotection  of  the  American  coniniiiiider,  rcdDiiiuls  fo  iiuicli  to  the  honor, 
Bj)irit,  mid  hi;.'lmiiii(U'dn('sM  of  the  writer,  tliat  it  is  liere  j^iveu  entire.  The  letter, 
itself,  i^<  not,  we  believe,  i,'enenilly  linown. 

sakatooa,  ocl  ni/i,  nn. 

Sir:  I  have  Ihe  honor  to  reecive  yonre.xeelletiev'H  letter  Iiy  Lady  .\ekland.  The 
rei-peet  due  to  her  ladyship's  rank,  and  the  tenderness  due  to  her  jierson  and  sex, 
were  alone  sntlleient  seeiirities  to  entitle  her  to  my  iirotection,  if  yon  eon-ider  my 
preeedini,'  condnet  w  ilh  respeet  to  those  of  yonr  army  whom  the  Ibrtniic  of  war  lins 
placed  in  my  hands,  I  am  snrprisod  that  yonr  excellency  should  tliink  that  I  could 
consider  the  ^.'reatest  attention  to  Lady  Ackland  in  the  lij.'lil  of  an  ol)liijation.  The 
cruelties  which  mark  the  retreat  of  yonr  army,  in  Imrinn^'  f,'entlemcn's  and  farmers' 
liousesas  they  pass  alonjr,  is  almost,  amoni,'  civilized  nations,  without  a  precedent. 
They  shoidd  not  endeavor  to  ruin  those  they  coidd  iu)t  coufpu'r.  Tliis  conduct 
betrays  more  of  Ihe  vindictive  malice  of  a  bigot,  than  the  generosity  of  a  soldier. 
Yonr  IVlend,  Sir  I'^ranciM  Clark.  l)y  the  information  of  tlio  director-general  of  my 
hospital,  langnishes  under  a  dangerous  wound.  Every  sort  of  tenderness  and 
uttentUm  is  paid  to  him  as  well  as  to  all  the  wounded  who  have  fallen  into  my 
hands,  and  the  hospital,  whiLh  yon  were  obliged  to  leave  to  my  mercy, 

I  am.  Sir, 

Yours, 

IIOUATIO   OATKS. 

To  (.icucral  Uiirgovne. 


OF  M/IS.  dH.XEltAL   IIIKDKSKI.. 


125 


would  make  good  all  tlie  losses  of  herself  and  the  other  maid. 
Tlie  latter,  my  good  Lena,  although  also  very  much  frightened, 
said  nothing. 

Toward  evening,  we  at  last  came  to  Saratoga,  which  was  only 
half  an  hour's  march  from  the  place  where  wc  had  spent  the 
whole  day.  I  was  wet  through  and  through  hy  the  frcfjuent 
rains,  and  was  ohliged  to  remain  in  this  condition  the  entire 
night,  as  I  had  no  place  whatever  where  I  could  change  my 
linen.  I,  therefore,  seated  my.sclf  before  a  good  fire,  and  un- 
dressed my  children;  after  which,  wo  laid  ourselves  down 
together  upon  some  straw.  I  asked  General  Phillips.*  who 
came  up  to  where  we  were,  why  we  did  not  continue  our  retreat 
while  there  was  yet  time,  as  my  husband  had  pledged  himself 
to  cover  it,  and  bring  the  army  through  ?  ''Poor  woman,"  an- 
swered he,  "I  am  amazed  at  you!  completely  wet  through, 
have  you  still  the  courage  to  wish  to  go  further  in  this  weather  1 
Would  that  you  were  only  our  commanding  general !  He  halts 
because  he  is  tired,  and  intends  to  spend  the  night  here  and 
give  us  a  supper."  In  this  latter  achievement,  especially, 
General  Burgoyne  was  very  fond  of  indulging.  lie  spent  half 
the  nights  in  singing  and  drinking,  and  amusing  himself  with 
the  wife  of  a  commissary,  who  was  his  mistress,  and  who,  as 
well  as  he,  loved  champagne. | 

On  the  10th,  at  seven  o'clock  iu  the  morning,  I  drank  some 


*  Ociioral  I'liilliiJK,  who  i«  rtcwciilicd  by  hi^-  (•iiiitcinpornru'n  iiii an  ••  lioiionililo.  just. 
iiiKl  ui)i-if,'lit  man,"  was  an  ohl  and  intimate  rricnil  (ifCionoi'al  Uicilosol.  witli  wlioiu 
ho  had  fotijjht  on  tin;  side  of  tlie  allies  in  the  Seven  Years"  war,' 

+  ••  While  the  army  were  siitleriiif,'  from  cold  and  hiin^'er.  and  every  one  was  look- 
inj;  forward  to  the  immediate  future  with  apprehension,  Sehnyler's  house  was 
ilhiminatod,  and  rung  with  Hinginjr,  laui,'hter,  and  the  jiniilinu;  of  <;lasses.  There 
Bnrgoync  was  i^ittint;.  with  some  merry  companions,  at  a  dainty  siipjier,  while  the 
chumpai,'ne  was  flowinj,'.  Near  liim  sat  the  lieautifiil  wife  of  an  Englisli  commis- 
sary, hiH  mistress.  Great  as  the  calamity  was,  the  Irivoloiis  j;eneral  still  kejjt  up 
his  orgies,  8ome  were  of  opinion  that  he  had  made  that  Ine.Kciisahle  stand,  merely 
for  the  sake  of  pftssinij  a  merry  night,  I{io(U'S(^l  thought  it  iiiciinilient  on  him  to 
remind  Hiirgoync  of  tlie  danger  of  the  halt,  hiit  the  latter  returned  all  sorts  of  eva- 
sive ausweru,"—  The  Geitmin  Auxiliaries  in  America. 


I 


f 


'*h. 


12G 


/.KTTK/fs  A.\/)  ./oru.y.iLs 


tea  by  way  of  rcfrcshiiieiit ;  and  wo  now  liopcd  IVoui  one  inoinent 
to  another,  tliat  at  last  we  would  again  pit  under  way.  Gene- 
ral Huri^oyne,  in  order  to  cover  our  retreat,  caused  the  beautiful 
houses  and  mills  at  Saratoga,  belonging  to  Oeneral  Schuyler,  to 
be  burned.  An  English  officer  brought  some  excellent  broth, 
which  he  shared  with  me,  as  I  was  not  able  to  refuse  his  urgent 
entreaties.  Thereupon  we  set  out  upon  our  march,  but  only  as 
far  as  another  place  not  far  from  where  we  had  started.  The 
greatest  misery  and  the  iitmost  disorder  prevailed  in  the  army.* 
The  commissaries  had  forgotten  to  distribute  provisions  among 
tlie  troops.  There  were  cattle  enough,  bat  not  one  had  been 
killed.  3Iore  than  thirty  officers  came  to  mc,  who  could  endure 
luingcr  no  longer.  I  had  coffee  and  tea  made  for  them,  and 
divided  among  them  all  the  provisions  with  which  my  carriage 
was  constantly  filled;  for  we  had  a  cook  who,  although  an 
arrant  knave,  was  fruitful  in  all  expedients,  and  often  in  the 
night  crossed  small  rivers,  in  order  to  steal  from  the  country 
people,  sheep,  poultry  and  pigs.  He  would  then  charge  us  a 
high  price  for  them  —  a  circumstance,  however,  that  we  only 
learned  a  long  time  afterward.  At  last  my  provisions  were 
exhausted,  and  in  despair  at  not  being  able  to  bo  of  any  further 
help,  I  called  to  me  Adjutant  Oeneral  Patterson, f  who  hap- 
pened at  that  moment  to  be  passing  by,  and  said  to  him  pas- 
sionately :  "  Come  and  see  for  yourself  these  officers,  who  have 
been  wounded  in  the  common  cause,  and  who  now  are  in  want 
of  every  thing,  because  they  do  not  receive  that  which  is  due 
them.  It  is,  therefore,  your  duty  to  make  a  representation  of 
this  to  the  general."  At  this  he  was  deeply  moved,  and  the  result 
was,  that,  a  quarter  of  an  hour  afterward.  General  Kurgoyne 
came  to  me  himself  and  thanked  me  very  pathetically  for  hav- 


*  Ooneral  Wilkinson,  who  lind  llio  jirivilose  of  knowing  Madame  Ricdescl  per- 
sonally, calls  lier  tho  "amialilo.  tlic  acconiiilislicd.  and  dJL'niflod  liaroncss."  "T 
liavi'  more  lliaii  onci'.""  mivs  he.  "  seen  lii-v  i-liamiiii::  l)liic  eyes  licdrwcd  with  li'aiH 
at  the  recital  oC  her  i*iifVcriiii.'s."" 

t  Sec  note  on  i)rtj;e  I'iJ. 


OF  Mils.  CESFUM  niF.DF.sEl.  y>*i 

\\v^  reminded  him   of  his  duty.     lie  added,  moreover,  that  a 

{■eiieral  was  much  to  be  pitied  wlien  lie  was  not  properly  served 

nor  iiis  commands  obeyed.     I  replied,  that  T  hefr.U'cd  his  pardon 

for  bavin-,'  meddled  with   thinjis  wliieh,  1  well  knew,  a  woman 

had  no  business  with,  but  that  it  was  impossible  to  keep  silent, 

when  I  saw  so  many  brave  men  in  want  of  every  thing,  and  had 

notbinj--  more   to  give  them.     Thereupon  lie  thanked  me  once 

more  (althougli  I  believe  that  in  his  lieart  he  has  never  forgiven 

me  thi>j  lashing),  and  went  from  me  to  the  officers,  and  said  to 

them,  that  he  was  very  sorry  for  wliat  had  happened,  but  he 

had  now  through  an  order  remedied  every  thing,  but  why  had 

they  not  come  to  him  as  liis  cook  stood  always  at  their  service. 
They  answered  that  Englisli  officers  were  not  accustomed  to  ■ 
visit  tlie  kitchen  of  their  general,  and  that  they  had  received 
any  morsel  from  me  with  pleasure,  as  they  were  convinced  I 
had  given  it  to  them  directly  from  my  heart.  He  then  gave  the 
most  express  orders  that  the  provisions  should  be  properly 
distributed.  This  only  hindered  us  anew,  besides  not  in  the 
least  bettering  our  situation.  The  general  seated  himself  at 
table,  and  the  liorses  were  harnessed  to  our  calashes  ready  for 
departure.  The  whole  army  clamored  for  a  retreat,  and  my 
husband  promised  to  make  it  possible,  provided  only  that  no 
time  was  lost.  But  General  Hurgoyne,  to  whom  an  order  had 
been  promised  if  he  brought  about  a  junction  with  the  army  of 
General  Howe,  could  not  determine  upon  this  course,  and  lost 
every  thing  by  his  loitering.  About  two  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon, the  firing  of  cannon  and  small  arms  was  again  heard,  and 
all  was  alarm  and  confusion.     My  husband  sent  me  a  mes.sa"e 

telling  me  to  betake  myself  forthwith  into  a  house  which  was  • 

not  far  from  there.  I  seated  myself  in  the  calash  with  my 
children,  and  had  scarcely  driven  up  to  the  house,  when  I  saw 
on  the  opposite  side  of  the  Hudson  river,  five  or  six  men  with 
guns,  which  were  aimed  at  us.  Almost  involuntarily  I  threw  the 
children  on  the  bottom  of  the  calash  and  myself  over  them. 
At  the  same  instant  the  churls  fired,  and  shattered  the  arm  of  '*' 


12S 


I.ETTKIts  AM)  .iDlltSM.s 


a  pour  Kn^lisli  soklior  beliiiid  us.  who  was  already  wounded, 
uiid  Wiis  also  on  tlio  point  of  retreating'  into  the  house.  Imme- 
diately after  our  arrival  a  friuhtl'iil  cannonade  bej;an,  j)rineii)ally 
direeled  against  tlie  house  in  whieh  we  had  soujj;ht  shelter, 
probably  because  the  enemy  believed,  from  seeing  so  many 
people  floekiiig  nround  it,  that  all  the  generals  made  it  their 
head-quarters.  Alas  I  it  harbored  none  but  wounded  soldiers, 
or  women  !  \\c  were  finally  obliged  to  take  refuge  in  a  cellar, 
in  which  I  laid  myself  down  in  a  corn<u'  not  far  from  the  door. 
My  cliildren  laid  down  on  the  earth  with  their  heads  upon  my 
la]i,  and  in  this  manner  we  pas.sed  the  entire  night.  A  horrible 
stench,  the  cries  of  the  children,  and  yet  more  than  all  this, 
my  own  anguish,  prevented  me  from  closing  my  eyes.  On  the 
i'ollowing  morning  the  cannonade  again  began,  but  from  a  dif- 
ferent side.  I  advised  all  to  go  out  of  the  cellar  for  a  little 
while,  during  whieh  time  I  would  have  it  cleaned,  as  otherwise 
we  would  all  be  sick.  They  followed  uiy  suggestion,  and  I  at 
once  set  many  hands  to  work,  which  was  in  the  highest  degree 
ncices.siry ;  lor  the  women  and  children  being  afraid  to  venture 
fortli,  had  soiled  the  whole  cellar.*  After  they  had  all  gone 
out  and  lel't  me  alone,  I  for  the  first  time  surveyed  our  place  of 


*  "IiKmcoriliosiMli'iisofwrotclu'dticsfi,  in  ii  cellar.  tlu'ivwni».  nlfo,  Lntly  Riodi'sol 
with  her  Iciidcr  iiil!iiil!J  niid  waitiiiir-womcn.  aniid^'t  llic  i^iiftcriiij,'  and  dopairiiij,'. 
Till'  dismal  spaiv  was  tliroiiL'cd.  and  llieair,  in  conseciiirnccM)!'  tlu!  cvaporalionrt 
and  tlu'  smell  (if  cariuns  wonnds.  (inilo  inH'otcd.  To  tlio  aijpallini,'  objects  around 
luT  was  added  her  anxiety  I'or  hcv  hiisliaiul  and  the  care  for  her  little  ones.  In 
this  dreadful  sitnallon  — in  this  ternl)Ie  den  of  allliction  — the  extraordinary  (icr- 
inan  woman  |)reserved  her  coiiraLre  and  Iter  compassion.  She  acted  then  the  i)art 
of  an  ani;el  of  comfort  and  help  anions.'  tliesiitl'erers.  She  refreshed  them  with  what 
she  had  k'ft  of  provisions,  and  almost  forirot  to  take  care  of  those  who  were  lu'arest 
to  her.  She  was  ready  to  perform  every  friendly  service,  evuii  such  from  which  the 
tender  mind  of  a  woman  will  recoil.  By  her  encrf.'y  she  restored  order  in  that 
chaos,  and  superintended  the  cleanin;,'  of  the  cellar  as  far  as  circumstances  would 
allow.  They  obeyed  her  more  readily  than  their  siijierior  ollicers."—  The  (itriiiun 
Aiij-iliiiriiii  ill  AiiK  ricii. 

On  the  opposite  |ias,'e  will  he  found  an  eni^ravini:  of  the  house  and  cellar,  furnished 
me  by  the  kindness  and  courtesy  of  Mr.  l-ossiiiLT.  and  >Ir.  Vorsten.  the  l)ublisher  of 
the  former's  beautitul  book  of  Tin  Ifiidsim.  The  house  and  cellar  were  sketched 
by  Mr.  I.ossinir  on  the  spot,  befure  they  were  allowed  by  the  farmers  in  the  vicinity 
to  yo  to  ruin. 


r 


WKf^tmilm^^^^^^^'^ 


rivHiint  (1S(m)  appi'urancc  nl'  tlio  limisc.  in  tlii!  culliir  ol'  wlilcli, 
Mrd.  Uledi'91'1  stayed  duriii!,'  I  In-  (.'aniuniade. 


im^^  *) 


The  Cellar. 


1 


•if. 


.. 


it*. 


If''  'l 


iir  y/.'s.  i;F\h'i!\i,  iiih:i>h:sh:!.. 


li':> 


rofuj,'o.  It  ciin.sisti'd  df  du'.'c  licuutit'iil  cellars,  splcmlidly 
arcluMl.  I  |ini|)(is((l  tliat  tlif  imist  (laii^cniiislv  wimumIciI  of  fho 
(iflicdrM  slidiild  lie  linniulit  iiitd  (tiic  nf  tlu'iii ;  tliat,  the  wimcii 
sliould  remain  in  aiicitlit-r;  and  that  all  tlio  rest  should  stay  in 
the  third,  whieh  was  nearest  the  entrunee.  I  had  Just  ^^liven 
th(>  cellars  a  ;:oiid  s\vee](inu,  and  had  I'mniuated  them  hysprink- 
linj;  vinegar  uu  biirnin>;  coals,  and  ea(di  one  had  I'oiiiid  his 
place  prepared  ibr  him  —  when  ii  fresh  and  terrihlt;  cannonade 
threw  us  all  once  more  into  alarm.  .Many  jpcrsons.  who  had  no 
riulit  to  eoiiu)  in,  threw  themselves  ai^ainst  fhi;  door.  .My 
children  were  already  under  the  cellar  st(>ps.  and  we  would  all 
have  ])een  crushed,  if  (iod  had  not  j;iven  me  strenj:tli  to  place 
iny.sclf  before  the  door,  and  with  e.vtended  arms  prevent  all 
from  coming  in ;  otherwise  every  one  of  us  would  have  lieeii 
•severely  injured.  Kleven  cannon  halls  went  throu;;h  the  house, 
and  we  could  plainly  hear  them  rollinjr  over  (Uir  he.-ids.  One 
poor  soldier,  whose  leg  they  were  about  to  amputate,  having  been 
laid  upon  a  tabic  for  thib  purpose,  had  the  other  leg  taken  off 
by  another  cannon  ball,  in  the  very  middle  of  the  operation.* 
His  comrades  all  ran  off,  and  when  they  again  came  back  they 
found  him  in  one  corner  of  the  room,  where  he  had  rolled  in 
his  anguish,  scarcely  breathing.  I  was  nnu-e  dead  than  alive, 
though  not  so  much  on  account  of  our  own  danger,  as  for  that 
which  envelo))ed  my  husband,  who,  however,  fre(|uently  sent  to 
see  bow  I  was  getting  ahmg,  and  to  tell  me  that  he  was  still 
safe. 

The  wife  of  Major  TIarnage,  a  Madame  Reynels,  the  wife  of 
the  good  lieuten;int  who  the  day  previous  had  so  kindly  shared 
bis  broth  with  me,  thewMi'e  of  the  connnissary,  and  myself,  were 
the  only  ladies  who  were  with  the  urmy.f     We  sat  together 


*  This  nnfm'tiiiiate  mnii  was  a  Hritish  siii'in'oii  by  tin'  luiiiir  iif  .Idiics.  Tin'  can 
noil  hall  I'lilcrt'd  tlio  northeast  corner  of  the  wall,  and  the  hole  was  still  visihie 
until  tlie  hoiiso  wan  allowed  to  I'all  to  decay,  u  lew  years  since. 

I  Lady  Harriet  Ackland,  It  will  be  recollected,  had  fjone  to  the  American  camp  to 
nurse  licr  husband. 

17 


^►i; 


180 


LKTTIilts  A.y/j  .lalliXALS 


bewailing  our  fnte,  when  one  came  in,  upon  which  they  all 
bcjj^an  whimpering,  looking  at  the  same  time  exceedingly  sad. 
I  noticed  this,  and  also  that  they  cast  silent  glances  toward  me. 
This  awakened  in  my  mind  the  dreadful  thought  that  my  hus- 
band had  been  killed.  I  shrieked  aloud,  but  they  assured  me 
that  this  was  not  so,  at  the  same  time  intimating  to  me  by  signs, 
that  it  was  the  lieutenant  —  the  husband  of  our  companion  — 
who  had  met  with  misfortune.  A  moment  after  she  was  called 
out.  Ilcr  husband  was  not  yet  dead,  but  a  cannon  ball  had 
taken  oft"  his  arm  close  to  the  shoulder.  During  the  whole 
night  we  heard  his  moans,  which  resounded  fearfully  througli 
the  vaulted  cellars.  The  poor  man  died  toward  morning.  We 
spent  the  remainder  of  this  night  in  the  same  way  as  the  former 
ones.  In  the  mean  time  my  husband  came  to  visit  me,  which 
lightened  my  anxiety  and  gave  me  fresh  courage.  On  the  fol- 
lowing morning,  however,  we  got  things  better  regulated. 
Major  llarnage,  his  wife,  and  Mrs.  lleynels,  made  a  little  room 
in  a  corner,  by  hanging  curtains  from  the  ceiling.  They  wished 
to  fix  up  for  me  another  corner  in  the  same  manner,  but  I  pre- 
ferred to  remain  near  the  door,  so  that  in  case  of  fire  I  could 
rush  out  from  the  room.  I  had  some  straw  brought  in  and  laid 
my  bed  upon  it,  where  I  slept  with  my  children  —  my  maids 
sleeping  not  far  from  us.  Directly  opposite  us  three  English 
officers  were  (juartercd — wounded,  it  is  true,  but,  nevertheless, 
resolved  not  to  be  left  behind  in  case  of  a  retreat.  One  of  these 
was  a  Captain  Green,  aid-de-camp  of  (Jeneral  Phillips,  a  very 
valuable  and  agreeable  man.  All  three  assured  me,  upon  their 
oaths,  that  in  case  of  a  hasty  retreat,  they  would  not  leave  me, 
but  would  each  take  one  of  my  children  upon  his  horse.  For 
myself,  one  of  my  husband's  horses  constantly  stood  saddled 
and  in  readiness.  Often  my  hu.sband  wished  to  withdraw  me 
from  danger  by  sending  me  to  the  Americans;  but  I  remon- 
strated with  him  on  the  ground,  that  to  be  with  people  whom  I 
■\vould  be  obliged  to  treat  with  courtesy,  while,  perhaps,  my 
husband  was  being  killed  by  them,  would  be  even  yet  more 


OF  MUS.  HKXEIIAL  KIEDESKL. 


131 


painful  than  all  I  was  now  forced  to  suffer.  He  promised  nie, 
therefore,  that  I  should  henceforward  follow  the  army.  Never- 
tlieless,  I  was  often  in  the  nij^jht  filled  with  anxiety  lest  he  should 
march  away.  At  such  times,  I  have  crept  out  of  my  cellar  to  re- 
assure myself,  and  if  I  saw  the  troops  lying  around  the  fires  (for 
the  nights  were  already  cold),  I  would  return  and  sleep  quietly. 
The  articles  which  had  been  intrusted  to  me  caused  me  much 
uneasiness.  I  had  fastened  them  inside  of  my  corsets,  as  I  was 
in  constant  terror  lest  I  should  lose  some  of  then',  and  I  resolved 
in  future  never  to  undertake  such  a  commission  again.  On  the 
third  day,  I  found  an  opportunity  for  the  first  time  to  change 
my  linen,  as  my  companions  had  the  courtesy  to  give  up  to  me 
a  little  corner — the  three  wounded  officers,  meanwhile,  standing 
guard  not  far  off.  One  of  these  gentlemen  could  imitate  very 
naturally  the  bellowing  of  a  cow,  and  the  bleating  of  a  calf; 
and  if  my  little  daughter  Frederica,  cried  during  the  night,  he 
would  mimic  these  animals,  and  she  would  at  once  become  still, 
at  which  we  all  laughed  heartily. 

Our  cook  saw  to  our  meals,  but  we  were  in  want  of  water ; 
and  in  order  to  queuch  thir.st,  I  was  often  obliged  to  drink 
wine,  and  give  it,  also,  to  the  children.  It  was,  moreover,  the 
only  thing  that  n-.y  husband  could  take,  which  fact  so  worked 
upon  our  faithful  uockcl,  that  he  said  to  me  onff  day,  "  I  fear 
that  till;,  guic"'  ,;  H-inks  so  much  wine,  because  he  dreads  falling 
>uto  cap^ivit},  and  is  therefore  weary  of  life."  The  continual 
di  iu^  in  which  my  husband  was  enconipasse(^.  was  a  constant 
source  of  Hnxiety  to  me.  1  was  the  only  one  of  all  the  women, 
whose  husband  had  not  been  killed  or  ,,  '1,  and  I  often 

said  tc  myself — especially  since  my  husband  was  phiced  in 
such  great  danger  day  and  pight —  "  Shall  I  be  the  only  fortu- 
nate one?"  lie  never  came  into  the  tent  at  night;  but  lay 
outside  by  the  watch-fires.  Tlis  a'onc  was  sufficient  to  have 
caused  his  death,  as  the  nighta  A^ere  damp  and  cold. 

As  the  great  scarcity  of  v/ntm'  contuiuoc',  we  at  last  found  a 
Holdier's  wife  who  had   fhe  cearage   lo  bring  water  I'rom  the 


"*••. 


182 


LETTERS  AND  JOrJiX^^LS 


river,  for  no  one  else  would  undertake  it,  as  the  enemy  shot  at 
the  head  of  every  man  who  approached  the  river.  This  woman, 
however,  they  never  molested ;  and  they  told  us  afterward,  that 
they  spared  her  on  account  of  her  sex. 

I  endeavored  to  divert  my  mind  from  my  troubles,  by  con- 
stantly busying-  myself  with  the  wounded.  I  made  them  tea 
and  .coffee,  and  received  in  return  a  thousand  benedictions. 
Often,  also,  I  shared  my  noonday  meal  with  them.  One  day  a 
Canadian  officer  came  into  our  cellar,  who  could  scarcely  s  md 
up.  We  at  last  got  it  out  of  him,  that  he  was  almost  dead  with 
hunger.  I  considered  myself  very  fortunate  to  have  it  in  my 
power  to  offer  him  my  mess.  This  gave  him  renewed  strength, 
and  gained  for  me  his  friendship.  Afterward,  upon  our  return 
to  Canada,  I  learned  to  know  his  family.  One  of  our  greatest 
annoyances  was  the  stench  of  the  wounds  when  they  began  to 
suppurate. 

One  day  I  undertook  the  care  of  Major  Plumpfield,*  adjutant 
of  General  Phillips,  through  both  of  whose  cheeks  a  small  musket 
ball  had  passed,  shattering  his  teeth  and  grazing  his  tongue. 
lie  could  hold  notliing  whatever  in  his  mouth.  The  matter 
from  the  wound  almost  choked  him,  and  he  was  unable  to  take 
any  other  nourishment,  except  a  little  broth,  or  something 
li(juid.  We  -had  Rhine  wine.  I  gave  him  a  bottle  of  it,  in 
hopes  that  the  acidity  of  the  wine  would  cleanse  his  wound.  lie 
kept  some  continually  in  his  mouth;  and  that  alone  acted  so 
beneficially  that  he  became  cured,  and  I  again  accjuired  one  more 
friend.  Thus,  in  the  midst  of  my  hours  of  care  and  suffering, 
I  derived  a  joyful  satisfaction,  which  made  nie  very  happy. 

On  one  of  these  sorrowful  days,  General  Phillips,  having 
expressed  a  desire  to  visit  mc,  accompanied  my  husband,  who, 
at  the  risk  of  his  own  life,  came  once  or  twice  daily  to  see  me. 


i 


*  Prnbnbly  ( 'iipt.ltn  Tliomas  Hlomclk'ld.  This  ofKriT.  m-conlinsr  to  (ii'iionil  Wil- 
kiiisun.  WHS,  ill  l.sKi,  moinbi'r  ul'  iiiuliimuMit  lor  I'lymoiilli,  major  gont'iiil  in  tlie 
unuy,  liciiK'Uiiut  coloiii'l  of  tlie  royal  artillery,  ihicl'  t'i|Ui.'rry,  and  marshal  to  the 
king. 


OF  MUH.  GEN  En  At  ItlEDEHEL. 


i;i3 


He  saw  our  situation,  and  heard  me  earnestly  beg  my  husband 
not  to  leave  me  behind  in  case  of  a  hasty  retreat.  Then,  as  he 
marked  my  great  reluctance  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  Ameri- 
cans, he  spoke  in  my  behalf;  and  as  he  was  going  away  he  said 
to  my  husbaud,  "No!  not  for  ten  thousand  guineas  would  I 
come  here  again,  for  my  heart  is  entirely,  entirely  broken  !" 

Not  all  of  those,  however,  who  were  with  us  deserved  our 
compassion.  There  were,  also,  poltroons  in  our  little  company, 
who  ought  not  to  have  remained  in  the  cellar,  and  who  after- 
wards, when  we  became  prisoners,  took  their  places  in  the  ranks 
and  could  parade  perfectly  well.  In  this  horrible  situation  wc 
remained  six  days.  Finally,  they  spoke  of  capitulatiisg,  as  by 
temporizing  for  so  long  a  time,  our  retreat  had  been  cut  oflF.  A 
cessation  of  hostilities  took  place,  and  my  husband,  who  was 
thoroughly  worn  out,  was  able,  for  the  first  time  in  a  long  while, 
to  lie  down  upon  a  bed.  In  order  that  his  rest  might  not  be  in 
the  least  disturbed,  I  had  a  good  bed  made  up  for  him  in  a 
little  room;  while  I,  with  my  children  and  both  my  maids,  laid 
down  in  a  little  parlor  close  by.  But  about  one  o'clock  in  the 
night,  some  one  came  and  asked  to  speak  to  him.  It  was  with 
the  greatest  reluctance  that  I  found  myself  obliged  to  awaken 
bin).  I  observed  that  the  message  did  not  please  him,  as  he 
immediately  sent  the  man  back  to  head-quarters,  and  laid  him- 
self down  again  considerably  out  of  humor.  Soon  after  this, 
(jeneral  Burgoyne  requested  the  presence  of  all  the  generals 
and  staff  officers  at  a  couucilof-war,  which  was  to  be  held  early 
the  next  morning;  in  which  he  proposed  to  break  the  capitu- 
lation, already  made  with  the  enemy,  in  conse([uence  of  some 
false  information  just  received.  It  was,  however,  finally  de- 
cided, that  this  was  neither  practicable  nor  advisable;  and  this 
was  fortunate  for  us,  as  the  Americans  said  to  us  afterwards, 
that  had  the  capitulation  been  broken  we  all  would  have  been 
massacred ;  which  they  could  have  done  the  more  easily,  as  wc 
were  not  over  four  or  five  thousand  men  strong,  and  had  given 
them  time  to  bring  together  more  thau  twenty  thousand. 


'V» 


184 


LETTERS  AXD  JOUIiXALS 


On  the  luornint;^  of  the  IGth  of  October,  my  husband  was 
again  obliged  to  go  to  liis  post,  and  I  once  more  into  my  celhir. 

On  this  day,  a  large  amount  of  fresh  meat  was  distributed 
among  the  officers,  who,  up  to  this  time,  had  received  only 
salted  provisions,  which  had  exceedingly  aggravated  the  wounds 
of  th.  .,,en.  The  good  woman  who  constantly  supplied  us  with 
water,  -  ^  >  s  capital  soup  from  the  fresh  moat.  I  had  lost 
all  appc.iti  iid  had  the  whole  time  taken  nothing  but  crusts 
of  bread  dipji.  '  "n  wine.  The  wounded  officers,  my  companions 
in  misfortune,  cut  oflF  the  best  piece  of  the  beef  and  presented 
it  to  me,  with  a  plate  of  soup.  I  said  to  them  that  T  was  not  able 
to  eat  any  thing,  but  as  they  saw  that  it  was  absolutely  neces- 
sary I  should  take  some  nourishment,  they  declared  that  they 
themselves  would  not  touch  a  morsel  until  I  had  given  them 
the  satisfaction  of  taking  some.  I  could  not  longer  withstand 
their  friendly  entreaties,  upon  which  they  assured  mo  that  it 
made  them  very  happy  to  be  able  to  ofter  me  the  first  good 
thing  which  they  themselves  enjoyed. 

On  the  17th  of  October  the  capitulation  was  consummated. 
The  generals  waited  upon  the  American  general-in-chief,  (jlates, 
and  the  troops  laid  down  their  arms,  and  surrendered  them- 
selves jirisoners  of  war.  Now  the  good  woman,  who  had  brought 
us  water  at  the  risk  of  her  life,  received  the  reward  of  her  ser- 
vices. Every  one  threw  a  whole  handful  of  money  into  her 
apron,  and  she  received  altogether  over  twenty  guineas.  At 
such  a  moment,  the  heart  seems  to  be  specially  susceptible  to 
feelings  of  gratitude. 

At  last,  my  husband  sent  to  me  a  groom  with  a  message  that 
I  should  come  to  him  with  our  children.  T,  therefore,  again 
seated  myself  in  my  dear  calash ;  and,  in  the  passage  through 
the  American  camp,  I  observed,  with  great  satisfaction,  that  no 
one  cast  at  us  scornful  glances.  On  the  contrary,  they  all 
greeted  me,  even  showing  compassion  on  their  countenances  at 
seeing  a  moth.er  with  her  little  children  in  such  a  situation.  I 
confess  that  I  feared  to  come  into  the  enemy's  camp,  as  the 


ttF  MliS.  (IKSEKAL  llIh:i>E.<!KI.. 


135 


thing  was  so  entirely  new  to  me.  When  I  approached  the 
tents,  a  noble  looking  man  came  toward  me,  took  the  children 
out  of  the  wagon,  embraced  and  kisseil  them,  and  then  with 
tears  in  his  eyes  helped  me  also  to  alight.  "  You  tremble," 
said  he  to  me,  "  fear  nothing."  "  No,"  replied  I,  ••  for  ycm  are  so 
kind,  and  have  been  so  tender  toward  my  children,  that  it  has 
inspired  me  with  courage."  lie  then  led  me  to  the  tent  of 
General  (iates,  with  whom  1  found  Generals  JJurgoyne  and 
Phillips,  who  were  upon  an  extremely  friendly  footing  with 
him.  Burgoyne  said  to  me,  ''  You  may  now  dismiss  all  your 
apprehensions,  for  your  sufferings  are  at  an  end."  I  answered 
him,  that  I  should  certainly  be  acting  very  wrongly  to  have 
any  more  anxiety,  when  our  chief  had  none,  and  especially 
when  I  saw  him  on  such  a  friendly  footing  with  General  Gates. 
All  the  generals  remained  to  dine  with  General  Gates.  The 
man,  who  had  received  me  so  kindly,  came  up  and  said  to  me,  "  It 
may  be  embarrassing  to  you  to  dine  with  all  these  gentlemen  ; 
come  now  with  your  children  into  my  tent,  where  I  will  give 
you,  it  is  true,  a  frugal  meal,  but  one  that  will  bo  accompanied 
by  tlie  best  of  wishes."  "  You  are  certainly,"  answered  I,  "  a 
husband  and  a  father,  since  you  show  me  so  much  kindness." 
I  then  learned  that  he  was  the  American  General  Schuyler. 
He  entertained  me  with  excellent  smoked  tongue,  beef-steaks, 
potatoes,  good  butter  and  bread.  Never  have  I  eaten  a  better 
meal.  I  was  content.  I  saw  that  all  around  me  were  so  like- 
wise; but  that  which  rejoiced  me  more  than  every  thing  else 
was,  that  my  husband  was  out  of  all  danger.  As  soon  as  we 
had  finished  dinner,  he  invited  me  to  take  up  my  residence  at 
his  house,  which  was  situated  in  Albany,  and  told  me  that 
General  Burgoyne  would,  als(j,  be  there.  I  sent  and  asked  my 
husband  what  I  should  do.  He  sent  me  word  to  accept  the 
invitation ;  and  as  it  was  two  days'  journey  from  where  we 
were,  and  already  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  he  advi.sed  me 
to  set  out  in  advance,  and  to  stay  over  night  at  a  place  distant 
about  three  hours'  ride.     General  Schuyler  was  so  obliging  as 


•i^^ 


I 


186 


LHTTKItS  AM)  JOlIiXALs 


to  send  with  iiic  a  French  officer,  who  was  a  very  affreeahle 
man,  and  commanded  those  troops  who  composed  tlie  reconnoi- 
tering  party  of  which  l  have  before  made  mention.  As  soon 
as  he  liad  escorted  me  to  the  house  where  we  were  to  remain, 
he  went  back.  I  found  in  tliis  house  a  French  physician,  and 
a  mortally  wounded  Brunswick  officer,  who  was  under  his  care, 
and  who  died  a  few  days  afterward.  The  wounded  man  extolled 
highly  the  good  nursing  of  the  doctor,  who  may  have  been  a 
very  skillful  surgeon,  but  was  a  young  coxcomb.  He  rejoiced 
gri'i'  when  be  heard  that  I  could  speak  his  language,  and 
began  to  entertain  me  with  all  kinds  of  sweet  speeches  and 
impertinences ;  among  other  things,  that  he  could  not  believe 
it  pv.  ible  wi.a  I  was  a  general's  wife,  because  a  woman  of  such 
rank  would  not  certainly  follow  her  husband  into  the  camp.  1 
ought,  therefore,  to  .stay  with  him,  for  it  was  better  to  be  with  the 
conquerors  than  the  conquered.  I  was  beside  myself  with  his 
insolence,  but  dared  not  let  him  see  the  contempt  with  which 
he  inspired  me,  because  I  had  no  protector.  When  night  came 
on  he  oftered  to  shr.re  his  room  with  me ;  but  I  answered,  that 
I  should  remain  in  the  apartment  of  the  wounded  officers, 
whereupon  he  distressed  me  still  more  with  all  kinds  of  foolish 
flatteries,  until,  suddenly,  the  door  opened  and  my  husband 
and  his  adjutant  entered.  "  Here,  sir,  is  my  husband,"  said  I 
to  him,  with  a  glance  meant  to  annihilate  him.  Upon  this 
he  withdrew  looking  very  sheepish.  Yet,  afterward,  he  was  so 
polite  as  to  give  up  his  room  to  us.  Tlie  day  after  this,  we 
arrived  at  Albany,  where  we  had  so  often  longed  to  be.  IJut 
we  came  not,  as  we  supposed  we  should,  as  victors !  We  were, 
nevertheless,  received  in  the  most  i'riendly  manner  by  the  good 
General  Schuyler,  and  by  his  wife  and  daughters,  who  showed 
us  the  most  marked  courtesy,  as,  also.  General -Burgoyne,  al- 
though he  had  —  without  any  necessity  it  was  said  —  caused 
their  magnificently  built  houses  to  be  burned.  ]Jut  they  treated 
us  as  people  who  knew  liow  to  forget  their  own  losses  in  the 
misfortunes  of  others.     Kven   (ieneral   Burgoyne  was  deeply 


OF  Mils.  (iKXEltAL  ItlKDKSKl. 


187 


moved  at  their  inagnauiiiiity,  uiid  siiij  to  rjeneral  Schuyler,  "  la 
it  to  //((■,  who  have  done  you  so  iiuicli  injury,  tliat  you  show  so 
much  kindness  !  "  "  That  is  the  fate  of  war,''  replied  the  brave 
man,  "let  us  say  no  more  about  it."  We  remained  three  days 
with  them,  and  they  acted  as  if  they  were  very  reluctant  to  let 
us  <,'o.  Our  cook  had  remained  in  the  city  with  the  camp  eijuip- 
age  of  my  husband,  but  the  second  night  after  our  arrival,  the 
whole  of  it  was  stolen  from  us,  notwithstanding  an  American 
guard  often  or  twenty  men  had  been  deputed  for  its  protection. 
Nothing  remained  to  us  except  the  beds  of  myself  and  children, 
and  a  lew  trifles  that  I  had  kept  by  me  for  my  o^vn  use  —  and 
this  too,  in  a  land  where  one  could  get  nothing  for  money,  and 
at  a  time  when  we  were  in  want  of  many  things;  consequently, 
my  husband  was  obliged  to  board  his  adjutant,  <)uartermaster,  etc., 
and  find  them  in  everything.  The  English  officers— our  friends, 
as  I  am  justified  in  calling  them,  for  during  the  whole  of  my 
sojourn  in  America  they  always  acted  as  such  — each  one  gave 
us  something.  One  gave  a  pair  of  spoons,  another  some  plates, 
all  of  which  we  were  obliged  to  use  for  a  long  time,  as  it  was 
not  until  three  years  afterward,  in  New  York,  that  we  found 
an  opportunity,  altliougli  at  great  cost,  to  replace  a  few  of  the 
things  we  had  lost.  Fortunately,  I  had  kept  by  me  my  little 
carriage,  which  carried  my  baggage.  As  it  was  already  very  late 
in  the  season,  and  the  weat.ier  raw,  I  had  my  calash  covered  with 
coarse  linen,  which  in  turn  was  varnisiied  over  with  oil;  and 
in  this  manner  we  set  out  on  our  journey  to  Boston,  which  was 
very  tedious,  besides  being  attended  with  considerable  hardship. 
I  know  not  whether  it  was  my  carriage  that  attracted  the 
curiosity  of  the  people  to  it  — ibr  it  certainly  had  the  appear- 
ance of  a  wagon  in  which  they  carry  around  rare  animals  — 
but  often  I  was  obliged  to  halt,  because  the  people  insisted  upon 
seeing  the  wife  of  the  German  general  with  her  children.  ]''or 
fear  that  they  would  tear  off  the  linen  coverinj-'  from  the  wao'on 
in  their  eagerness  to  see  me,  I  very  often  alighted,  and  by  this 
means  got  away  more  (juickly.     However,  I  must  say  that  the 

18 


\^. 


i:is 


Lm'TKlls  AX/I  ./OCJi'XA/.M 


pefiji1<i  \,orc  very  IViendly,  and  wort;  jiartieularly  delighted  at 
my  being  able  to  speak  Knglisli,  wliieli  was  tbo  language  of 
their  country. 

In  tiie  midst  of  all  my  trials,  however,  (iod  so  supported  me, 
that  1  lost  neither  my  frolicksomenoss,  nor  my  spirits;  but  my 
poor  husband,  who  was  gnawed  by  grief  on  ceount  of  all  that 
had  happened,  and  on  acecmnt,  also,  of  his  captivity,  became  by 
these  constant  stoppages,  peevish  in  the  highest  degree,  and 
could  scarcely  endure  tliem.  His  health  had  suffered  very 
greatly,  especiallj'  by  the  many  damp  nights  that  he  had  sjjcnt 
in  the  open  airj  and  he  was,  therefore,  often  obliged  to  take 
medicine.  One  day,  wlion  he  was  very  sick  from  the  effects  of 
an  emetic,  he  could  not  sleep  on  account  of  the  noise  that  our 
American  .,uard  made,  who  never  left  us,  but  wore  continually 
drinking  and  carousing  before  our  very  door;  and  when  lie  sent 
them  a  message  begging  them  to  keeji  quiet,  they  redoubled 
their  noise.  1  resolved  to  go  out  myself;  and  1  said  to  them 
that  my  husband  was  sick,  and  begged  that  they  would  be  less 
noisy.  They  at  once  desisted  from  their  merriment  and  all 
became  still.  A  i)roof  that  this  nation,  also,  have  respect  for 
our  sex. 

Some  of  their  generals  who  accompanied  us  wore  shoemakers ; 
and  upon  our  halting-days  they  made  boots  for  our  officers,  and, 
also,  mended  nicely  the  shoes  of  our  soldiers.  They  set  a  great 
value  upon  our  money  coinage;  which,  with  them  was  scarce. 
One  of  our  officers  had  worn  his  boots  entirely  into  shreds.  He 
saw  that  an  American  general  had  on  a  good  pair,  and  said  to 
him  jestingly,  '•  I  will  gladly  give  you  a  guinea  for  them."  Im- 
mediately the  general  alighted  from  his  horse,  took  the  guinea, 
gave  up  his  boots,  and  put  on  the  badly  worn  ones  ftf  the  officer, 
and  again  mounted  his  lior.se. 

At  last  we  arrived  at  lioston ;  and  our  troops  were  quartered 
in  barracks  not  far  from  Winter  hill.*     We  were  billeted  at 


*  WiiitiM-  liill,  wlu'iv  most  of  the  (icnnan  priHoiicrs  wcic  iiiinrtt'rod,  was.  at  that 
timi',  covered  witli  wretclieil  Ijarnieks,  made  ol'lioards.  that  liad  been  erected  therein 


OF  MIts.  (iF.SKItAI,  ItlKDKsKL. 


189 


the  house  of  a  couiitryiiiaii,  whore  wu  liacl  only  one  room  uiicler 
the  roof.  3Iy  woiikmi  .'-ervants  sU-'pt  on  the  floor,  and  our  men 
.servants  in  the  entry.  Some  straw,  wliicli  I  placed  under  our 
beds,  served  us  i'or  a  lonu  time,  as  [  had  with  me  nothinj^-  more 
than  my  own  field  bed.  Our  host  allowed  us  to  eat  in  his  room, 
where  the  whole  lamily  togethe.'  eat  and  slept.  The  man  was 
kind,  but  the  woman,  in  order  to  revenue  herself  for  the  trouble 
we  brought  upon  lier,  cut  up  the  prank,  every  time  we  sat  down 
to  table,  of  taking  that  time  to  eonib  out  her  children's  heads, 
which  were  full  of  vermin  — which  very  often  entirely  took 
away  our  appetites.  And  if  we  begged  her  to  do  this  outside, 
or  select  another  time  for  this  operation,  she  would  answer  us, 
"  It  is  my  room,  and  J  like  to  comb  my  children's  hair  at  this 
time  !  "  We  \^re  obliged,  therefore,  to  be  silent  lest  she  should 
thrust  us  out  of  the  house. 

(.)no  day  the  gentlemen  of  our  party  celebrated,  in  this  filthy 
place,  the  birthday,  I  believe,  of  tlie  (lueen  of  England,  and 
drank  on  this  occasion  a  great  deal  of  wine.  My  oldest  little 
daughters,  Gustava  and  Frederica,  who  had  noticed  tliat  the 
wine  that  was  left  over  liad  been  placed  under  tlie  stairs, 
thought  it  would  be  a  fine  thing  for  them  in  their  turn  to  drink 
the  queen's  health.  They,  accordingly,  seated  themselves  be- 
fore the  door,  and  toasted  .so  much  —  that  is,  drank  healths  — 
that  their  little  heads  could  not  bear  more.  Frederica  became 
sick  of  a  fever,  which  gave  me  the  more  anxiety  as  she  had 
spasms  with  it,  and  I  was  entirely  at  a  loss  to  know  the  cause. 
When,  finally,  nature  helped  lier.self  by  vomiting,  then  I  .saw 
that  it  was  the  wine,  and  blamed  the  little  maidens  greatly,  who, 
however,  replied  that  they,  also,  h)ved  the  king  and  queen,  and 
could  not,  therefore,  resist  wishing  them  happiness. 

We  remained  three  weeks  at  this  place,  until  they  transferred 
us  to  Cambridge,  where  they  lodged  us   in   one  of  the  most 


'  M 


IT"),  for  I  ho  pui-posi'  ol'iitVonliiiitu  t-hdlcr  ((lioii;,'h  ti  i^cauty  one)  to  the  .Vmcvifiiiis 
while  hesie-jiiig  Ueueial  (iuse  in  Uoi^toii. 


"4*- . 


140 


LETTEIiH  AM)  JOIIISALS 


beautiful  houses  of  the  place,  which  hail  formerly  been  built  by 
the  wealth  of  the  royalistH.  Never  had  I  chanced  upon  such  an 
ajjreeable  situation.  Seven  families,  who  were  conneeted  with 
each  other,  partly  by  the  ties  of  relationship  and  partly  by  aft'cc- 
tion,  had  here  farms,  gardens  and  niafinificcnt  houses,  and  not 
far  oft"  plantations  of  fruit.  The  owners  of  these  were  in  the 
habit  of  daily  meeting:;  each  other  in  the  afternoons,  now  at  the 
house  of  one,  and  now  at  another,  and  making  themselves  merry 
with  music  and  the  dance  —  living  in  prosperity,  united  and 
happy,  until,  alas  !  this  ruinous  war  severed  them,  and  left  all 
their  houses  desolate  except  two,  the  proprietors  of  which  were 
also  soon  obliged  to  flee. 

None  of  our  gentlemen  were  allowed  to  go  into  Boston. 
Curiosity  and  desire  urged  nie  to  pay  a  visit  to  Madame  Carter, 
the  daughter  of  (Jeneral  Schuyler,  and  1  dined  at  her  house 
.several  times.  The  city,  throughout,  is  pretty,  but  inhabited 
by  violent  patriots,  and  full  of  wicked  people.  The  women, 
especially,  were  so  shameless,  that  they  regarded  lue  with  re- 
])Ugnance  and  even  spit  at  me  when  T  passed  by  them.  jMadame 
Carter  was  as  gentle  and  good  as  her  parents,  but  her  husband 
was  wicked  and  treacherous.  She  came  often  to  visit  us,  and 
also  dined  at  our  house  with  the  other  generals.  We  sought  to 
show  them  by  every  means  our  gratitude.  They  seemed,  also, 
to  have  much  friendship  for  us ;  and  yet,  at  the  same  time,  this 
mi.xerable  Carter,  when  the  English  (Jeneral  Howe  had  burned 
many  hamlets  and  small  towns,  nuide  the  horrible  proposition  to 
the  Americans  to  chop  off  the  heads  of  our  generals,  salt  them 
down  in  small  barrels,  and  send  over  to  the  Knglish  one  of 
these  barrels  for  every  hamlet  or  little  town  burned  down;  but 
this  barbarous  suggestion  fortunately  was  not  adopted. 

During  my  sojourn  at  Bristol,  in  England,  I  had  made  the 
acquaintance  of  a  Captain  Fenton,  from  Boston,  to  whom  the 
Americans,  upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  had  sent  a  sum- 
mons, but  which,  true  to  his  king,  he  would  not  obey.  U[)on 
this,  the  women  of  the  exasperated  rabble  seized  his  wife — u 


OF  MIts.  HK.\ /■:/,' A/.  ItlKItKsni.. 


\\\ 


woiimii  dcsorvinf,'  of  all  cstocni  —  and  his  very  bcaiitil'iil 
tlaufiliter  of  fifteen  years,  and  witlioiit  ref-ard  to  tlieir  good- 
ness, beauty  or  modesty,  stripped  them  naked,  besmeared  tbeni 
Willi  tar,  rolled  tlieni  in  feathers,  and,  in  this  condition,  led 
them  through  the  city  as  a  show.  What  might  not  be  expected 
from  sueh  people,  inspired  with  the  most  bitter  liatred  ! 

Tn  the  same  manner,  there  were  two  brothers  who  had  loved 
each  other  very  much,  one  of  whom  had  espoused  the  side  of 
the  king,  and  the  other  that  of  the  republicans.  The  former, 
desiring  again  to  see  his  brother,  obtained  permission  and  paid 
him  a  visit.  Ilis  brother  received  liim  with  great  joy,  and  said 
to  him,  "  How  rejoiced  am  I  to  sec  you  return  to  the  good 
cause!"  "  No,  my  brother,"  answered  the  royalist,  "  I  remain 
true  to  my  king,  but  this  shall  not  hinder  me  from  loving 
you."  At  this,  the  American  sprang  up  in  a  fury,  seized  a 
pistol,  and  threatened  to  shoot  liim  if  he  did  not  instantly  go 
away.  All  the  representations  of  the  good  brother,  that  their 
differences  of  opinion  should  not  alter  his  love,  availed  nothing. 
The  other  exclaimed,  "  Only  my  old  love  for  you  hinders  me 
from  shooting  you  this  very  moment,  for  every  royalist  is  my 
enemy."  And  he  would  certainly  liave  carried  out  his  threat  if 
his  brother  had  not  finally  made  his  escape.  Almost  every 
family  was  disunited;  and  I  saw  hero  that  nothing  is  more 
terrible  than  a  civil  war.  With  such  people  we  were  obliged 
to  live,  or  sec  no  one  whatever  I  I  naturally  preferred  the 
latter. 

General  Phillips  was.  and  remained,  ever  our  kind  and  sin- 
cere friend,  and  we  saw  much  of  him.  Our  house,  also,  was 
constantly  full  of  Englishmen,  after  wo  learned  t'l  u  r  was  con- 
sidered by  them  polite  usage  to  invite  them  lu  tall  again. 
Before  we  knew  this,  we  observed,  to  our  astonishment,  that 
some  courteous  people,  whom  we  had  received  kindly,  came  not 
again.  After  this  we  adopted  the  same  custom,  and  found  it 
very  convenient,  since  one  could  make  a  selection  of  those 
whose  company  was  most  agreeable.     Still,  a  few  persons  fa- 


H'l. 


I'll 


142 


/./:"/'T/://s   A\/)  .mrit.SM.S 


vorod  UN  witli  their  i)ruHeiit'o  uimskud,  who  wcro,  um  tho  Kii^Mich 
term  it,  '•  biiivliK-cd." 

Wliilc  ill  ('iiiiil)i'itl<io,  I  hiiw  iiii  entire  Imiise  etirried  oil'  ii)iiiii 
hdij^  loyn,  tt)  tho  cikIm  (if  which  tliey  had  iittuclied  wiieelH. 
Tlio  lioiist*  i«  raised  by  a  screw,  tiic  Idjim  Hhovcd  underneath  it, 
and  tlie  building  is  then  imived  readily.* 

( )n  tlic  .'id  of  .luiic,  1778,  r  j;iivc  a  ball  and  siii>i)ei'  in  celc- 
bratinii  dl  the  birthday  ol'my  husband.  I  had  invited  to  it  all 
tho  {"CiieraLs  and  nthcers.  Tlie  ( 'arter.>*,  uIho,  were  there.  Gene- 
ral IJnruoyno  sent  an  e.\(;use  iii'ter  he  had  made  us  wait  till 
oi^ht  o'clock  in  the  eviuiinj;.  '  lie  invariably  excused  liiinseli', 
on  various  pretenses,  I'roiii  coniing  to  see  us,  until  his  dc|iai'turo 
for  J'liiiiiand,  when  he  came  and  made  me  ii  great  many  apolo- 
gici<,  but  to  which  I  made  no  other  answer  than  that  I  should 
be  extremely  sorry  it'  he  had  •;t)ne  out  of  liis  way  on  our 
account.  \Vc  danced  considerably,  and  our  cook  jireparcd  us  a 
magnilicent  supper  of  more  than  eighty  covers.  Moreover,  luir 
court-yard  and  garden  wt'rc  illuminated.  As  the  birthday  of 
tlie  king  of  England  came  upon  the  following  day,  which  was 
the  fuurtii,  it  was  resolved  that  we  would  not  se])aratc  until  his 
health  had  been  drank;  which  was  done  with  the  most  hearty 
attachment  to  his  person  and  his  interests. 

Never,  I  believe,  has  ••  (iod  save  the  King"  been  sung  with 
more  enthusiasm  or  more  genuine  good  will.  Kveu  both  my 
oldest  little  (hiughters  were  there,  liavingstaid  up  to  see  the 
illumination.  All  eyes  were  full  of  tears;  and  it  seemed  as  if 
every  one  present  was  proud  to  have  the  spirit  to  venture  to 
do  this  in  the  midst  of  our  enemies.  Kven  the  Carters  could 
not  shut  their  hearts  against  us.  As  soon  as  the  company 
separated,  we  perceived   that   the  whole  house  was  surrounded 


*  Thin  Amei'lcnii  niamicr  DrniDviiii.' Iioiisos  is  as  unkiKiwii  tn  the  Kiif.'lish  nt  llio 
present  (lay  nn  It  was  to  Mrs.  Hiedcsel  almost  a  (•cntllfy  since.  A  ireiitlenian  last 
year  dsillil.  eliaiiciiii.;  tii  lie  in  a  (•iinipaiiyorintelliL'enl  and  educated  Kiii,'lisli  iKuiiiIe, 
in  Kntrland.  alluded,  in  the  eoiirseof  cdnvei-sation.  to  this  ciistoni.  iii><in  which  his 
heaii'i's  thoiiirht  he  desiiriicd  to  lioax  Iheni :  nor  was  it  until  he  had  wnvinced  them 
ol'lmving  nu  i-ueh  inteuliuii  llial  they  cuiild  he  induced  lu  credit  it  ! 


'//•'  i//.'v,  i,n.\h:i!M.  /,'//■■ /I /■:.s/-; I.. 


V.\ 


h\  Aiiifiiciins,  who,  li.iviiii;  sci'ii  so  iii.iiiy  [icoplc  n,.  jntd  tin; 
liiiu.Mi!.  and  liaviiiL;  iinticcil,  ulsn,  tlic  illmiiinatioii,  Hus|u'ct('(l  (hat 
wo  wt'i'i!  plaiiiiiiij.'  a  imitiiiy,  anil  if  ilic  sli-litrsf  <lisliirl)aiifo 
had  arisen,  it  wrndd  have  vn-H  us  dear.  'I"hc  Aiiii'ricaiis,  wlicii 
tliov  dcsin^  to  collect  tiieir  troops  touctiier,  |daee  Imiiiiiin- 
torelius  o|'  j)it(di  iijioii  lli.^  Iiill  tops,  iit  wliidi  ,si^'iii»l  every  one 
liustoiiH  (o  liio  rendezvous.  We  were  oitcc  witnesses  id'  liiis, 
when  (leiu'ral  lloW(!  attempted  a  iandinu'  at  lioston  in  order  to 
rescue  the  captive  troops.  'I'liey  h'arned  ol'  this  |dan,  as  usual, 
long  beforehand,  and  opened  barrels  i<\'  pitch,  whereupon,  for 

tliree  or  four  Hucccssivts  diys,  u  lar^e  nundier  ol'  | pie.  witliout 

slnies  ami  stoekinus.  ami  with  jiuns  on  their  hacks,  were  >vt>\i 
hastily  eninini;'  from  all  direction  hy  whicdi  means  so  many 
jKioplo  came  toi^ether  so  soon  th.it  it  would  have  been  a  very 
difficult  thinj^  to  effect  a  landinji'. 

We  lived  very  happily  and  content<!d  in  ('ainbridj;e,  and 
were,  therelore,  widl  pleased  at  the  idea  of  remainiiiji  there 
during  the  captivity  (d'  our  troops.  As  winter  approached, 
liowevcr,  wo  wore  ordered  to  Virginia.*  Now  I  was  forced  to 
con.sid(!r  how  I  should  safely  carry  tin;  lolors  of  our  (lerman 
regiments  still  further,  as  we  had  made  the  Americans  at 
Saratoga  believe  that  they  were  burnt  u]) — a  cireinnstanee 
which  they  at  first  took  in  bad  part,  though,  afterwards,  they 
tacitly  overh)okcd  it.      IJut  it  was  only  tlie  staves  that  had  been 

burned,  the  colors  having  been   thus  far  ( ceded.     Now,  uiy 

liusband  confided  to  me  this  secret,  and  entrusted  me  with  their 
still  further  concealment.  I,  therefore,  shut  myself  in  with  a 
right  honorable  tailor,  who  ludjied  me  make  a  mattress  in  which 


*  Tlic  cnusc  of  thiM  onliT  was  CliiiloiiV  ilci-Ijiniliiiii  llial  ^iiicc  the  Coiivi'iiliim 
trcxipsti.  c.  tluL-^c  who  siin-i'iKU'icd  at  SaraloLrai,  were  not  ackiiowlc(l.;,'C(l  an  siicli, 
but  looked  upon  in  the  same  liirhl  as  onlinnrv  piisoiicrs  of  wai-,  lio  was  no  loiiijcr 
disposed  to  forward  provisions  lo  IlK'in,  or  pay  tin-  "e.xorliilant  hills  of  tlio 
Ainerieans,"  consecinenlly  eonirress  nnist  maintain  tlio  i)risoners  itself.  As  tlio 
country  in  the  vleinity  of  Hoston  was  very  delleieni  in  i)r<ivisloiis.  Ilie  Convention 
troops  were  aecordiiiKly  sent  to  Vir;,'inia.  wiiieli,  it  was  tlioiiglil.  would  l)e  luMter 
able  to  fiiridsh  the  needful  supplies. 


144 


LETTEliS  A.YD  JOVIiXALH 


we  sewed  every  one  of  them.  Captain  O'Connell,  under  pre- 
tense of  some  errund,  was  sent  to  New  York,  and  passed  the 
mattress  off  as  his  bed.  He  sent  it  to  Halifax,  where  we  again 
found  it  on  our  passage  from  New  York  to  Canada,  and  where  — 
in  order  to  ward  off  all  suspicion  in  case  our  ship  should  be 
taken  —  I  transferred  it  into  my  cabin,  and  slept,  during  the 
whole  of  the  remaining  voyage  to  Canada,  upon  these  honorable 
badges. 

While  we  were  on  the  point  of  taking  our  departure,  I  dis- 
covered that  ouv  cook,  whose  receipts  I  had  luckily  received 
daily,  had  paid  nothing  whatever;  and  they  brought  to  me 
unpaid  bills  which  amounted  to  the  sum  of  one  thousand  rix 
thalers.  My  husband  had  him  arrested.  But  he  slipped  off 
and  went  into  the  service  of  General  (iates,  who  found  him  too 
expensive;  whereupon  he  went  to  General  La  Fayette,  who 
afterwards  told  us  that  "  he  would  answer  only  for  a  king !  " 
My  husband  wished  him  well  on  account  of  his  skillfulness  in 
cooking,  which  was  very  great.  But  the  scoundrel  had  con- 
ceived a  hatred  against  nie,  because  1  watched  him.  I  have 
always  believed,  also,  that  he  had  a  share  in  the  robbery  of  my 
husband's  equipage  at  Albany.  We  afterwards  found  him  in 
New  York  in  the  greatest  poverty.  lie  had  seduced  and  ran 
away  with  the  wife  of  an  American,  and  afterwards  deserted 
her,  because  he  was  in  such  an  indigent  situation  that  he  was 
not  able  to  .support  her. 

My  husband  had  often  a  kind  of  nervous  and  anxious  feeling, 
by  reason  of  which  he  was  never  easy  unless  he  was  walking  or 
working  \\\  the  garden.  I,  therefore,  always  took  care,  when- 
ever we  changed  our  quarters,  to  have  a  garden  made  in  a 
suitable  place.  This  was  not  difficult,  neither  did  it  cost  much, 
as  almost  all  our  soldiers  understood  garden  work,  and  were, 
besides,  glad  of  an  opportunity  to  earn' something.  I  thanked 
(Jod  now  more  than  ever  that  he  had  given  me  courage  to  follow 
my  hn.sband.  The  grief  of  being  in  captivity,  the  unpleasant 
situation  of  our  troops,  and  the  want  of  news  from  his  father- 


OF  MRS.  OEXERAL  lilEVESEL. 


145 


land — all  these  things  threw  him  into  deep  despondency. 
Yet  how  much  more  had  he  suffered  when  he  had  no  one  to 
divert  him,  and  when  he  had  often  been  a  whole  half  year  and 
even  longer  without  receiving  intelligeuce  from  us  !  IIow 
joyful  am  I,  even  now,  when  I  think  hack  upon  those  times, 
that  I  resisted  all  those  who  would  have  prevented  me  from 
performing  my  duty  and  following  the  inclination  with  which 
my  tender  love  had  inspired  me ;  and  that  I  faithfully  shared 
all  his  sorrows  and  his  cares  ! 

It  was  in  the  month  of  November,  1778,  that  we  received  the 
order  to  go  to  Virginia.  My  husband,  fortunately,  found  a 
pretty  English  wagon,  and  bought  it  for  ma,  so  that,  as  before,  I 
was  enabled  to  travel  easily.  My  little  G  ustava  had  entreated  one 
of  my  husband's  adjutants,  Captain  Kdmonston,  not  to  lea>^  us 
on  the  wjiy.  The  confidingmanner  of  the  child  touched  hini,  and 
he  gave  his  promise  and  faithfully  kept  it.  I  traveled  always 
with  the  army,  and  often  over  almost  impassable  roads.*  The 
captain,  who  was  very  strong  and  always  at  hand,  sprang  from 
his  horse  at  every  dangccous  place,  and  held  our  wagon.  Our  old 
yager,  Rockel,  who  was  with  me  and  was  much  delighted  at  this 
assistance,  as  he  was  very  much  fatigued,  often  sat  quietly  on  his 
box  and  contented  himself  with  crying,  "  Captain  !  "  Instantly 
he  wa"  down  from  his  horse.     I  did  not  like  him  to  use  such 


*  A  u'linipsc  (if  that  which  Mrs.  Riodoiid  endured  on  this  journey  is  afforded  us  by 
the  folh)\vinu'  fjraphic  description  of  one  scone  on  the  march,  from  tlie  diary  of  one 
of  tlie  (ieruian  otHcers  wlio  was  with  Mrs.  Kiedesd  and  tlie  troops  at  tlie  time  : 

"Tlie  roads  were  covered  l)y  a  glazeil  frost ;  and  a  cold  and  jjierciuij  wind  drove 
tlie  snow  and  rain  into  tlie  faces  of  the  marcliinsj;  troops.  IJeinj,'  very  much  weak- 
ened by  their  inevions  privations,  they  were  unable  to  reach  their  designated 
quarters  for  the  night,  and  therefore  halted  at  midniglit  in  a  wood,  wliere  they 
bivouacked  in  tlieir  drenched  clothes,  without  even  straw  upon  which  to  lie  down. 
It  was  an  awful  night  of  storm  and  tempest.  N'akcd  rocks,  lik.jso  many  iihaiitonis, 
pointed  towards  tlie  heavens  ;  mountain  streams  dashed  unceasingly  over  miglity 
pieces  of  rock;  and  in  the  ploughed  up  ravines  stood  lofty,  dark  lir.-'.  in  whose  tops 
the  wind  whistled  dismally.  The  prisoners  endeavored  to  shelter  tlicmsches  as 
well  as  they  could,  from  the  blowing  gale  and  the  falling  snow  and  rain,  tiy  taking 
refuge  in  the  deep  crevices  of  the  rocks  and  the  dense  tliickets."' 

1!> 


146 


LETTERS  AND  JOVSNALS 


freedom  ;  but  it  amused  tlie  good  captain  so  much  that  he  begged 
me  not  to  notice  it. 

I  had  always  provisions  with  me,  but  carried  them  in  a  second, 
small  wagon.  As  this  could  not  go  as  fast  as  we,  I  was  often  in 
want  of  every  thing.  Once,  when  we  were  passing  a  t'>wu  called 
Hertford,*  where  we  made  a  halt,  which,  by  the  wa  appened 
every  fourth  day,  we  met  General  La  Fayette,  whom  my  hus- 
band invited  to  dinner,  as  otherwise  he  would  have  been  unable 
to  find  any  thing  to  eat.  This  placed  me  in  rather  an  awkward 
dilemma,  as  I  knew  that  he  loved  a  good  dinner.  Finally, 
however,  I  managed  to  glean  from  what  provisions  1  had  on 
hand  enough  to  make  him  a  very  respectable  dinner.  He  was 
so  polite  and  agreeable  that  he  pleased  us  all  very  much.  He 
had  many  Americans  in  his  train,  who  were  ready  to  leap  out  of 
their  skin  for  vexation,  at  hearing  us  speak  constantly  in  French. 
Perhaps  they  feared,  on  seeing  us  on  such  a  friendly  footing 
with  him,  that  we  would  be  able  to  alienate  him  from  their 
cause,  or  that  he  would  confide  things  to  us  that  we  ought  not 
to  know.  He  spoke  much  of  England,  and  of  the  kindness 
which  the  king  had  shown  him  in  having  had  all  objects  of 
interest  shown  to  him.  I  could  not  keep  myself  from  asking 
him  how  he  could  find  it  in  his  heart  to  accept  so  many  marks 
of  kindness  from  the  king,  when  he  was  on  the  point  of  depart- 
ing in  order  to  fight  against  him.  Upon  this  observation  of 
mine  he  appeared  somewhat  ashamed,  and  answered  me,  "  It  is 
true  that  such  a  thought  passed  through  my  mind  one  day, 
when  the  king  oflered  to  show  me  his  fleet.  I  answered  that 
I  hoped  to  see  it  some  day;  and  then  quietly  retired,  in  order 
to  escape  from  the  embarrassment  of  being  obliged  to  decline, 
point  blank,  the  ofler,  should  it  be  repeated."  Some,  however, 
charged  him  with  being  a  'spy  in  England,  npon  which  he 
immediately  went  to  America. 

One  day  we  came  to  a  pretty  little  place,  but  our  supply 


♦Hartford,  Conn. 


OF  MBS.  GKNEliAL  RIEDEHEL. 


147 


wagon  not  having  been  able  to  follow  us,  we  could  not  endure 
our  hunger  longer.     Observing  a  quantity  of  butcher's  meat  in 
the  house  in  which  we  put  up,  1  begged  the  hostess  to  let  nie 
have  some.     >'  I  have,"  answered  she,  "  several  different  kinds. 
There  ia  beef,  veal,  and  mutton."     My  mouth  already  watered 
at  the  prospect.     "  Let  me  have  some,"  I  said,  "  I  will  pay  you 
well  for  it  "     Snapping  her  fingers  almost  under  my  very  nose, 
she  replied,  "  You  shall   not  have  a  morsel  of  it.     Why  have 
you  come  out  of  your  land  to  kill  us,  and  waste  our  goods  and 
possessions?      Now  you  are  our   prisoners;    it  is,  therefore, 
our  turn  to  torment  you."     "  See,"  rejoined   I,  "  these  poor 
children,  they  are  almost  dead  with  hunger."     She  remained* 
inflexible.     But  when,  finally,  my  tliree  and  a  half  year  old 
little  daughter,   Caroline,  came  up  to  her,   seized  her  by  the 
hand,  and  said   to  her  in  English,  "  Good  woman,  T  am  very 
hungry  !  "     She  could  not  longer  withstand  her  :  she  took  her 
in  a  room  and  gave  her  an  egg.      "No,"  said  the  good  little 
child,   "  I   have  still  two  sisters."     At  this  the  woman  was 
touched,  and  gave  her  three  eggs,  saying,  «  I  am  just  as  angry 
as  ever,  but  I  cannot  withstand  the  child."     She  then  became 
more  gentle,  and  offered  me  bread  and  milk.     I  made  tea  for 
ourselves.     The  woman  eyed  us  longingly,  for  the  Americans 
love  it  very  much;  but  they  had  resolved  to  drink  it  no  longer, 
as  the  famous  duty  on  the  tea  had  occasioned  the  war.     I 
offered  her  a  cup,  and  poured  out  for  her  a  saucer  of  tea      This 
mollified  her  comp-letely,  and  she  begged  me  to  follow  her  into 
the  kitchen,  where  I  found  the  husband  gnawing  at  a  pig's  tail, 
while  his  wife,  to  my  great  satisfaction,  brought  out  of  the  cellar 
a  basket  of  potatoes.     When  she  came  back  he  reached  out  to 
her  his  tit-bit.     She  ate  some  of  it,  and  gave  it  back  to  him  in 
a  little  while,  when  he  again  began  to  feast  upon  it.     I  saw  this 
singular  mutual   entertainment  with  amazement  and  disgust; 
but  he  believed  that  hunger  made  me  begrudge  it  him,  and 
he  reached    out  to   me   the   already    thoroughly  gnawed    tail. 
What  should  I  do?     Throw  it  away,  and   not  only  injure  his 


■^H- 


:*•;! 


\T 


"•'.I'iim  >.' 


148 


LEI'TKIIS  AXl)  JOUnXALS 


I' 


feelings,  but  lose  my  loved  basket  of  potatoes  !  I  accordingly 
took  it,  pretended  to  eat  it,  and  quietly  threw  it  into  the  fire. 
We  had  now  made  our  entire  peace  with  them.  They  gave  mc 
my  potatoes,  and  I  made  a  good  supper  off  them,  with  excellent 
butter.  But  besides  this,  they  moved  us  into  three  pretty 
rooms  with  good  beds. 

The  next  morning  we  again  set  out  on  our  journey,  and  still, 
on  every  hand,  drew  upon  us  the  curiosity  of  the  inhabitants. 
Upon  reaching  the  bank  of  the  Hudson  river,*  we  were  quar- 
tered at  the  house  of  a  boatman,  where  we  were  given,  as  a 
special  mark  of  favor,  a  half-finished  room  without  windows. 
We  hung  our  bed  clothes  before  them,  and  slept  upon  some 
straw,  as  our  baggage  wagon  was  broken,  and  we  had,  therefore, 
no  beds.  In  consequence  of  this  accident,  also,  we  had,  unfor- 
tunately, neither  coff'ce,  nor  tea,  nor  sugar,  -vhich  had  often, 
upon  this  journey  constituted  our  only  refreshment.  Our 
landlady,  a  perfect  fury,  finally  allowed  us,  on  the  following 
morning,  when  our  things  had  arrived,  to  breakfast  in  her 
room,  as  it  was  in  the  month  of  December,  and  we  could  not 
make  a  fire  in  our  room.  ]Jut  we  were  unable  to  induce  her  to 
let  us  have  a  table  to  ourselves ;  and  we  were  not  once  permitted 
to  sit  down  to  hers,  until  she,  with  her  children  and  servants, 
had  finished  breakfast,  which  consisted  of  what  had  been  left 


*  Mr?.  Kii'rtesel  and  the  troopn  struck  tlic  Hudson  nt  Fislikill.  WluMi  tlicy  ar- 
rivod  aX  that  i)lacc,  Wasliiiigloii,  on  liorsoback,  attcndod  by  his  staft',  saw  them 
march  by.  A  journal  of  a  IJrunswick  ollUcr,  HiK'akin};  of  the  American  commander- 
in-cliief  on  tliis  occasion,  naively  says  :  —  •'  He  reviewed  all  our  divisions,  and  was 
very  polite  to  our  ortieers.  All  that,  in  ffcncral.  can  be  said  on  the  sulyect  of  the 
said  general  amounts  to  this;  that  it  is  a  pity,  a  man  of  his  character  and  talents 
is  a  rel)el  to  his  kins,'.'' 

Mrs.  Kiedcsel  and  the  first  division  of  the  troops  reached  Lancaster  in  the  latter 
part  of  December.  The  credulous  inhabitants  of  that  town  had  been  hoa.Ked  with 
tlie  story,  that  the  kin;.'  of  Kujiland  had  made  a  present  of  the  worthy  town  of  Lan- 
caster to  CJeneral  Uiedesel,  to  reward  liini  for  his  services,  and  that  the  latter  had 
now  come  to  take  possession  of  the  place  with  liis  troops.  The  irritati(ni  of  the 
l)eople,  accordin<;ly,  was  so  roused  against  the  (ieruian  general,  that  serious  conse- 
(piences  were  at  first  feared:  and  it  was  a  long  time  l)efore  tlieycoidd  be  convinced 
of  tiie  falsity  of  tlie  report. 


OF  MliS.  O  EN  Eli  A  L  RIEDEfiEL. 


149 


over  from  the  evening  meal,  viz :  cabbage,  liam,  and  the  like, 
with  coffee  and  coarse  sugar.  They  left  us  a  filthy  table,  which 
we  were  first  obliged  to  clean  before  we  could  use  it.  And  yet 
they  insisted  that  we  should  put  every  thing  in  order,  and  re- 
place the  cups  and  saucers  in  a  perfectly  clean  condition  !  At 
the  least  remonstrance  they  pointed  us  to  the  door.  She  did 
all  this  to  torment  us,  for  she  was  an  anti-royalist.  Unfortu- 
nately, a  storm,  with  adverse  winds,  came  up,  so  that  we,  as  the 
boatman  assured  us,  could  not  cross  the  river  without  danger. 
The  wicked  woman  insisted,  notwithstanding,  that  we  should 
go ;  and  it  was  only  after  many  entreaties,  that  we  obtained 
permission  to  remain  two  days  longer.  On  the  third  day,  the 
husband,  with  a  perplexed  air,  came  and  announced  to  u£  that 
we  must  go.  I  entreated  him  to  think  of  our  danger,  and  at 
least  to  accompany  us,  as  I  should  then  have  more  courage  to 
attempt  the  passage  over.  lie  promised  to  take  us  over  him- 
self; and  we  embarked  upon  a  little  boat  with  one  sail;  but  as 
he  shoved  it  from  the  land,  our  man  sprang  up  and  out  of  the 
boat,  and  left  us  only  one  sailor,  who  did  not  understand  very  well 
how  to  guide  the  tiller.  We  were,  therefore,  on  acco\int  of  his 
unskillfulness,  and  the  contrary  winds,  driven  hither  and  thither 
in  the  river  for  more  than  five  hours,  until,  at  last  after  a  thou- 
sand anxieties,  we  landed  upon  the  opposite  shore.  Even  then 
we  were  still  obliged  to  wade  up  to  the  knees  through  a  morass, 
till  we  came  to  the  house  of  Colonel  llorbovn  * — a  very  rich 
man,  where  we  were  to  lodge. f 


♦Probably  Osborn. 

t  Mi>.  Uit'di'scl  (loos  not  ('xa!.'.i.'i'nil«  Iho  peril  of  lior  piisfafro  across  tlio  Hudson  in 
this  storm;  and  knowini,'  men  at  the  lime  were  surprised  that  she  escaped  wilhonl 
accident.  Indeed,  the  treatment  she  received  from  the  inhabitants  of  tlu;  towns 
throui,'h  whidi  slie  passed  on  this  jonrinn-.  was  siieli  as  to  excite  the  indlsna- 
tion  of  Colonel  Troup,  who  luid  been  detailed  to  accompany  the  party  to  its 
ilestination.  In  a  letter  to  (ieneral  (iates.  dated  at  Sussex  Court  House.  January 
3d,  I'Tlt,  Colonel  Troup  writes:  •■  You  canmit  inia;.'ini'  wiiat  dillleulties  we  liad  to 
overcome  on  our  marcli  hither.  The  jn'ople  of  almost  every  house  wliere  we 
stopped,  seemed  to  deli^dil  in  reiulerini.'  otu'  slay  with  theui  as  uni)leasant  as  they 
possibly  could,     1  am  sorry  to  add,  lluil   lliey  behaved  very  iniproi)eriy  to  Lady 


'"d*- 


/ : , 


w 


160 


LETTERS  AND  JOVRXALS 


In  that  place,  I  had  a  small  room,  it  is  true,  but  a  good 
one,  for  niyscU",  husband,  children,  and  both  my  maids;  in 
which,  however,  the  adjutants  had  to  take  breakfast,  dinner 
and  tea.  As  I  wished  to  change  my  stockings  on  account 
of  my  feet  being  completely  soaked,  I  begged  our  officers  to 
go  out  long  enough  for  mc  to  do  this.  In  the  meantime 
they  went  into  the  kitchen  to  warm  themselves,  and  while 
there,  suddenly  the  host  came  in,  took  them  by  the  arms,  ex- 
claiming at  the  same  time,  "  Here,  you  nasty  royalists!  ia  it  not 
enough  that  I  harbor  you ;  can  you  not  sometimes  leave  me  in 
peace  ?"  He  had  just  come  in  from  the  field  ;  and  in  his  coarse 
cloth  garments,  his  long  beard,  'snd  his  dirty  linen,  looked  so 
like  a  bear,  that  we  trembled  before  him.  His  wife,  however, 
was  kind.  On  the  following  day,  which  was  Sunday,  she 
begged  me  to  drink  coft'ee  with  her  after  dinner.  Scarcely  had 
I  seated  myself,  when  the  husband  entered  looking  much  more 
respectable,  as  he  had  shaved  himself,  and  put  on  his  Sunday 
linen.  As  I  could  not  yet  forget  the  scene  of  the  day  before, 
I  got  up  and  wished  to  leave  the  room.  But  he  shut  the  door 
and  asked  me,  "  Are  you  afraid  of  mc  ?  "  "  No,"  answered  I, 
"  T  am  afraid  of  no  one,  not  even  the  devil,  whom  you  so  resem- 
bled yesterday."     "  But  to-day,"   replied  he,   "  1  look   much 


Ricdescl.  They  coiilil  not  disiiiisfi  from  their  miiidi*  the  cruelty  with  which  onr 
prisoners  have  been  treated.  I'art  of  tlieni  were  nfraid  of  biding  plundered,  otliers  of 
being  murdered  l)y  lis.  A  young  woman,  wlio  liad  been  married  only  shortly  before, 
wept  continually,  crying  and  gnashing  her  teeth  for  almost  two  hours  running, 
merely  because  I  asked  her  to  let  Lady  Kiedesel  slee]>  in  her  chamber,  where  she 
kept  some  gowns,  petticoats,  i)ots.  and  the  like.  The  rudeness  with  which  they 
treated  ns,  of  every  degree  and  kind,  was  carried  to  such  a  point,  that  since  my 
departure  from  Cambiidge,  I  have  always  stood  in  the  greatest  fear.  Lady  Kiedesel, 
the  general  and  his  family,  have  testitled  to  me,  in  every  way,  their  esteem  and 
kindness.  A  few  minutes  ago.  they  and  the  children,  before  setting  out  for  Easton, 
were  in  the  best  state  of  health."  And  in  another  letter  to  tiates,  shortly  after,  he 
writes :  "  The  army  has  made  a  stand  at  Middlebrook  ;  and  the;  otticer,  who  was 
dispatched  by  Lord  Sterling  to  attend  Lady  Kiedesel  to  Virginia,  assures  me  that 
they  are  well  salistled  with  their  lodgings,  In  spite  of  his  assurances,  however.  I 
cannot  disengage  myself  from  my  private  opinion,  which,  I  am  persuaded,  does  not 
much  difl'er  from  yours." 


OF  MliS.  GENERAL  RIEDESEL. 


151 


bettor."  "  Yes,"  said  I,  "  ncvertlieless,  I  desire  to  got  out  of 
the  way  of  f|fther  discourtesies."  3Iy  demeanor,  instead  of 
vexing,  pleased  him,  He  took  me  by  the  hand,  and  urged  me 
to  sit  down  again  in  my  chair.  "  I  am  not  so  bad  as  you  think," 
said  he,  "you  please  me,  and  if  I  had  no  wife  I  would  marry 
you."  "  But,"  rejoined  I,  "  how  do  you  know  that  I  would 
have  you  ?  "  "  That,"  said  he,  "  we  should  soon  see.  I  am  very 
rich;  the  whole  landscape,  as  far  as  you  can  see,  is  mine,  my 
wife  is  already  old ;  1  think,  therefore,  you  had  better  remain 
here."  From  this  moment,  I  could  have  h?d  every  thing  that 
the  house  afforded ;  for  the  good  wife  was  deligi<ted  to  share 
with  me  all  that  she  herself  was  accustomed  to  have. 

We  were  obliged  to  remain  here  eight  days  in  order  to  give 
our  troops  time  to  cross  the  river,  vifhich,  on  accouut  of  the 
scarcity  of  suitable  boats,  was  very  tedious.  Our  third  stopping 
place  for  the  night  from  this  place,  was  at  the  house  of  a  Gorman, 
where  we  were  well  lodged  and  well  fed.  The  old  man,  it 
seemed,  was  the  son  of  a  coachman  who  had  been  in  the  service 
of  Count  Giirtz  in  Germany.  In  his  twelfth  year,  his  father 
on  one  occasion  chastised  him  on  account  of  some  roguish 
prank.  Thereupon  he  resolved  to  run  away ;  and  chance  led 
him  to  London.  Servants  were  at  that  time  often  sent  thence 
to  the  American  colonies,  and  he  was  also  sent  over  with  one 
of  these  companies.  As  his  lucky  star  would  have  it  he  fell 
into  the  hands  of  a  kind  master,  who,  taking  a  fancy  to  him, 
had  him  well  educated,  and,  after  some  years  of  service,  gave 
him  some  land  to  cultivate,  as  was  customary  in  this  country, 
after  one  had  served  out  his  apprenticeship,  lie  was  very  active 
and  industrious,  and  soon  found  himself  in  a  position  to  take  a 
lease  jf  it  from  his  master,  who,  finally,  when  he  observed  how 
every  thing  prospered  under  his  hands,  gave  him  his  daughter 
for  a  wife.  The  man  had  nine  sons  who  were  also  farmers; 
and  the  only  thing  that  disturbed  his  happiness  was,  the  thought 
of  having  left  his  father,  to  whom,  however,  he  often  sent 
money.     As  he  knew  that  the  Riedesel  family  were  neighbors 


162 


LETTERS  AXD  JOVliNALS 


and  friends  of  Gortz,  he  took  good  cure  of  us,  and  was  exceed- 
ingly grieved  when  we  again  set  out  on  our  Journey. 

At  another  time  we  had  our  quarters  for  the  night  at  the 
house  of  a  Colonel  Ilowe,  to  whoin  I  thought  I  was  paying  a 
coniplinient  by  asking  him  if  he  was  a  relation  of  the  Englisli 
General 't  "  God  forbid,"  answered  he,  very  much  affronted,  "  he 
is  not  worthy  of  it."  They  said  that  this  colonel  was  a  brave 
man.  When  he  was  not  in  the  field  but  at  home,  he  plo\yed 
his  acres  himself,  and  busied  himself  with  his  household  affairs. 
lie  had  a  daughter  fourteen  years  old,  pretty,  but  of  a  wicked 
disposition.  As  I  was  once  sitting  with  her  before  a  good  chim- 
ney fire,  she  gazed  at  the  glowing  coals,  and  cried  out  "  Oh,  if 
I  only  had  the  king  of  England  here,  with  what  satisfaction  I 
could  cut  his  body  in  pieces,  tear  out  his  heart,  dissect  it,  put  it 
upon  these  coals,  and  consume  it ! "  I  looked  at  her  with  horror, 
and  said,  "  I  am  almost  ashamed  to  belong  to  a  .sex  that  is  capable 
of  taking  such  pleasure."  I  have  never  been  able  to  forgot  this 
detestable  girl ;  and  I  was  glad  to  get  away  from  this  house, 
although,  in  other  respects,  we  were  very  well  treated. 

lieforc  we  passed  the  so-called  Blue  mountains,  we  were  forced 
to  make  a  still  further  halt  of  eight  days,  that  our  troops  might 
have  time  to  collect  together  again.  In  the  mean  time  such  a 
great  quantity  of  snow  fell,  that  four  of  our  .servants  were  obliged 
to  go  before  my  wagon  on  horseback,  in  order  to  make  a  path 
for  it.  We  passed  through  a  picturesque  portion  of  the  country, 
which,  however,  by  reason  of  its  wildness,  inspired  us  with  terror. 
Ofteu  we  were  in  danger  of  our  lives  while  going  along  these 
break-neck  roads;  and  more  than  ail  this  we  suffered  from  cold, 
and  what  was  was  still  worse,  from  a  lack  of  provisions.  When 
we  arrived  in  Virginia,  and  were  only  a  day's  journey  from  the 
place  of  our  destination,  we  had  actually  nothing  more  remaining 
but  our  tea,  and  none  of  us  could  obtain  any  thing  but  bread 
and  butter.  A  countryman,  whom  we  met  on  the  way,  gave 
nie  only  a  hand  full  of  acrid  fruits.  At  noon  we  came  to  a  dwell- 
ing where  I  begged  for  something  to  eat.    They  refused  me  with 


OF  M/iS.   GEXh'JLil   JilEhESHL. 


168 


hard  words,  saying  that  there  was  notliing  for  dogs  of  Royalists. 
Seeing  some  Turkish  meal  *  lying  around,  I  begged  for  a  couple 
of  hands  full,  that  I  might  mix  it  with  water  and  make  bread. 
The  woman  answered  me  "  No,  that  is  for  our  negroes,  who  work 
for  us,  but  you  have  wished  to  kill  us."  Captain  Edmonston 
offered  her  from  me,  two  guineas  for  it,  as  my  children  were 
so  hungry.  Hut  she  said,  "  Not  for  a  hundred  would  I  give  you 
any;  and  should  you  all  die  of  hunger,  it  will  be  so  much  the 
better."  At  this  reply,  the  captain  became  so  provoked,  that  he 
wished  to  take  it  by  force.  I,  however,  entreated  him,  in  order  to 
prevent  disturbance,  to  keep  quiet,  as  we,  perhaps,  would  soon 
come  across  better  disposed  people.  But  alas  that  did  not  hap- 
pen !  Wc  did  not  once  meet  with  even  a  hut.  The  roads  were 
horrible,  the  horses  completely  tired  out,  my  three  children  ex- 
hausted by  hunger,  very  wan,  and  I  for  the  first  time  was  tho- 
roughly disheartened.  Captain  Edmonston,  exceedingly  touched 
at  this  sight,  went  from  man  to  man  to  see  if  he  could  not  obtain 
something  to  eat.  At  last  he  received  from  one  of  the  drivers 
of  our  baggage-wagons,  a  piece  of  old  bread,  a  quarter  of  a 
pound's  weight,  which  had  been  considerably  gnawed  at,  since, 
on  account  of  its  hardness,  no  one  could  bite  off  the  smallest 
piece.  The  instant  he  brought  it  to  us,  joy  sparkled  in  the  eyes 
of  the  children.  I  was  about  to  give  the  first  piece  to  Caroline 
as  the  youngest.  "  No,"  said  the  kind  child,  "  my  sisters  are  more 
hungry  than  I."  Gustava  and  Frederica  also  refused  to  take  it, 
wishing  to  leave  it  for  their  little  sister.  I  therefore  divided  it 
and  gaveit  to  all  three  to  eat.  Tears  ran  down  both  my  cheeks  ; 
and  the  good  Edmonston  was  so  affected,  that  he  was  unable 
longer  to  endure  the  sight.  If  I  had  at  any  time  refused  a  piece 
of  bread  to  the  poor,  I  should  have  thought  that  Uod  wished  now 
to  punish  me  for  it.  The  kind  driver,  who  had  so  willingly 
given  us  his  last  piece  of  bread,  received  a  guinea  from  Captain 


*  Indian  meal. 


20 


154 


LKTTKUs  AM)  .KJlliSM.S 


Ktliiioiistdit,  and,  on  our  iirrival  tit  the  place  ol'  our  dcstiiiiition, 
a  laryo  stock  of  bread  lor  liis  return  journey. 

Tlie  place  of  our  destination  was  Colle  in  Virj^inia,  whore  my 
liusband,  who  had  j^one  ahead  with  our  troops,  awaited  us  with 
impatient  lonj^inj;.  Wo  arrived  here  about  the  middle  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1"T1>,  having,  on  our  journey,  passed  throuj^h  the  pro- 
vinces of  Connecticut,  New  York,  Now  Jersey,  Pennsylvania 
and  Maryland,  and  having  traveled  in  twelve  weeks,  six  hundred 
and  seveuty-eight  Knglish  miles.  The  house  in  which  we  lived, 
and  the  entire  estate,  belonged  to  an  Italian,*  who,  as  ho  was  to 
be  absent  for  some  time,  gave  it  up  to  us.  We  looked  forward 
longingly  to  the,  departure  of  himself,  wife  and  daughter,  for 
not  only  was  the  house  small,  but  more  than  all,  the  scarcity  of 
provisions  seemed  to  trouble  them — a  circumslanco  which  caused 
the  husband  to  exercise  a  kin  dof  guardianshij)  over  us.  Tlius, 
when  he  had  a  ram  killed,  he  gave  us  on  the  first  day,  nothing 
more  tlian  the  head,  the  neck,  and  the  giblets,  although  I  repre- 
sented to  him  that  more  than  twenty  persons  wore  to  nuike  a  meal 
off  them.  He  assured  mo  that  a  right  good  soup  might  bo  made 
ol'  these  articles,  and  gave  us  besides,  two  heads  of  cabbage,  with 
which,  and  half  of  a  putrid  ham,  wo  were  obliged  to  be  satisfied. 

The  troops  had  been  expected  earlier,  and  accordingly  many 
oxen  and  swine  had  been  killed  for  food;  and,  as  salt  was  very 
scarce,  they  cut  th(;  meat  into  ijuarters,  placed  it  in  a  vault  in 
the  earth,  and  scattered  between  the  pieces  ashes  instead  of  salt 
which  answered  equally  as  well.  But  as  in  this  part  of  the 
country,  the  sun,  even  in  January,  often  shines  out  very  warm, 
all  the  top  layers  were  spoiled.  The  meat  was  brought  to  us  on 
a  wheel-barrow  ;  but  we  were  often  obliged  to  throw  the  whole  of 
it  away,  although  sometimes  we  could  wash  it,  in  which  case  wo 
salted  and  hung  it  up  in  smoke.  The  day  of  our  arrival,  when 
I  had  scarcely  enough  for  dinner  to  satisfy  us  alone,  I  saw  with 
tears,  eight  of  our  officers  ride  up  just  before  dinner.     What 

*  The  name  of  this  ItiiUnn  is  siippoiti'd  tn  Imvo  l)euu  .Muz/.ui. 


h 


OF  MRS.  iiESKUM.  lilKDh'SKL. 


inr) 


cdulJ  wo  d(»  butslmre  with  tlioni  tlie  little  wo  Imd  '(  Tlu;  troops 
wore  Htiitii)rie(l  at  Oharlottsvillo,  two  hours  ride  from  us.  To 
roaeli  them  we  wore  obli,nod  to  j^o  throuuli  a  very  beaiitifiil  piece 
of  woods.  At  (irst  they  endured  many  privations.  They  occu- 
pied hlock-hou.scs,  which,  however,  wore  without  plaster,  and  des- 
titute of  doors  and  windows,  so  tliat  tlicy  were  very  cold  inside. 
They  worked,  however,  with  great  industry  to  build  them.selves 
better  dwellings;  and,  in  a  short  time,  I  saw  a  pretty  little  town 
spring  up.  Behind  each  barrack,  they  laid  out  gardens  and 
constructed  pretty  little  inclosnrcs  Ibr  poultry.  Afterwards, 
when  the  old  provisions  were  consumed,  tliey  received  fresh  meat 
and  meal  enough  to  uiako  bread.  As  this  hitter  was  Indian 
meal,  it  served  them  for  omelets  and  dumplings  ;  so  that  now  they 
were  in  want  of  nothing  but  money.  Very  little  of  this  latter 
commodity  was  sent  to  them  by  the  English,  and  it  was  diffi- 
cult sometimes  to  obtain  credit  —  a  circumstance  whicli  often- 
times gave  great,  inconvenience  to  the  common  soldiers. 

In  the  middle  of  tlie  month  of  February  tlie  fruit  trees,  which 
were  already  in  blos,som,  were  all  killed  by  the  night-frost. 
As  .soon  as  the  temperature  of  the  air  would  allow,  wo  had  the 
garden  and  tlie  field  tilled  and  planted;  and,  as  our  landlord 
went  oft' three  weeks  after,  we  took  possession  of  every  thing  — 
swine,  wild  turkeys,  etc.  Some  of  the  latter  weighed  over  fifty 
pounds,  and  were  perfectly  tame ;  but  when  spring  came,  they 
all  flow  off  to  hatch  their  eggs,  which  they  had  laid  in  the  forests. 
We  gave  them  up  for  lost,  but  they  all  came  back  and  brought 
with  them  a  great  number  of  young  ones. 

We  had  built  for  us  a  largo  house,  with  a  groat  drawing-ro(mi 
in  the  centre,  and  Uj)on  each  side  two  rooms  which  cost  my 
husband  one  hundred  guineas.     It  was  exceedingly  pretty. 

Many  of  the  negroes  brought  us  every  thing  that  we  needed,  in 
the  sliape  of  poultry  and  vegetables.  Every  week.  General 
Phillips  and  ourselves  killed,  by  turns,  an  ox  and  two  pigs. 
Very  soon  we  wanted  nothing.  ]5ut  tlie  heat  bothered  us  very 
much  in  .summer ;  and  we   lived   in  constant  terror  of  ruttle- 


•,ii". 


II 

I 


15G 


LETTERS  AX/)  ,1  or II \ Ms 


Hiiukes.  Tlio  friiitH  a\m  wiiro  uatoii  into,  liy  tliree  kiiula  til' 
ticks.*  Wo  had,  umrcovcr,  vory  heavy  thiiiiclor  wtoriiiH,  hiHtiii(j; 
for  fivf  (ir  nix  days  at  a  tiiiio,  and  ariMiinjmiiu'd  Ity  tt'iiijichts 
whiuli  toru  iqi  l>y  tlic  mots  inoro  tliaii  oiio  limidiod  triHi.s  in  onr 
vicinity.  Tiie  tires  stdud  very  hionely,  and  their  nidts  were 
liglitly  covered,  uh  the  stronj;'  wimls  Mew  away  t'niin  tiieni  the 
eartli,  wiiicli  was  inustly  j^aiid.  Hesidcs  all  this,  the  negroes 
and  herdsmen  often  made  fires  under  the  trees,  for  whieh  they 
cared  nothing.  IJy  reason  of  this  the  trees  were  more  easily 
blown  down.  Often  wliole  foreats  wore  set  on  tire,  and  burned 
down  in  order  to  obtain  new  land.  At  night,  we  were  obliged 
to  leave  our  windows  open,  that  we  might  be  able  to  draw  in 
fresh  air,  and  sleep.  Thereupon,  three  or  four  nasty  bats,  three 
times  as  largo  as  with  us,  would  wake  us  up,  and  wo  were  ob- 
liged to  spend  half  the  night  in  chasing  them  around  the  room. 
On  one  occasion  a  jier.xon  came  in  the  night  to  my  husband,  to 
tell  him  that  the  stable,  whieh  was  a  new  one,  was  in  danger  of 
being  blown  down  by  the  wind.  Every  one  ran  out  to  prop  it 
up,  except  myself,  who  was  left  alone  with  my  children,  and 
women  servants.  The  wind  continually  grew  stronger.  A  great 
piece  of  the  chimney  fell  into  the  room;  tlie  whole  house  rocked  ; 
and  I  remained  half  the  niiiht  in  the  greatest  fear  of  beiny,  killed 
by  a  fragment.     Wo  were  often  frightened  in  this  imuinor. 

We  had  no  chairs  to  sit  on,  only  round  blocks,  which  we  also 
used  for  a  table,  laying  boards  upon  them,  in  this  manner  we 
lived  for  three  f  or  four  months,  ])retty  contentedly ;  my  husband, 
only,  was  always  sad,  and  could  not  at  all  endure  the  heat,  which 


*  .\  kind  of  insect  wliicli  oven  now  iiill'fts  the  ccmtli,  espodaliy  tlii"^"ii' 
tioii  ol'Ivoiitucky. 

t  Mrrt.  Ifoidom;!  isyet  rcmemlxM'pd  in  Vlrgiiilu.  Tradition  dcscri 
!nf5  lit  tldn  tinu!  conHidcriiblL'  eiii/ioiiiKi/iif,  and  a  liaiidsomc  and  lovely  l 
in  tlu!  cnffravini,' acciimi)anyini:  lliir<  volnnici.  Slic  is  also  I'cporti'd  usii. 
dcrod  licrscir  an  ol)jcct  of  wonder,  in  ridintr  in  lioots,  after  wlial  wasllicn  ealle  • 
tin'  Kimipean  fasliion.  Slie  was  nMdoul)le(lly  in  advanee  of  her  aije.  and  l)y 
keeping  licr  feet  warm  and  repudiatini;  pasteboard  soles,  sliowed  lier  slerlfiii; 
sense. 


.-  lisv- 
is  seen 
-'  ren 


Oh  MHS.  liKSKU.iL  UIHnKSKl.. 


157 


stood  itt  Olio  liuii(lr«!tl  iiiul  tlirou  doj^rtioH,  niul  wiw  oxuooiliii^ly  ojt- 
jircssivo.  Wo  endeavored  to  cheor  him  up  us  nmoli  hh  poMMible. 
Ah  hooii  hm  till)  V(.',!^t!tiil)Ii!s  lieiidii  to  j^row  in  our  pirdon,  lie  look 
consideraljlo  rtiitisl'aotion  in  Ijusyiuj^  liiiiiselt' in  pirdening.  Hut 
UH  lie  would  wear  no  hat  on  hiw  head  on  account  of  hiiviug  much 
licachu'ho  and  its  iineoinf'ortalilc  feeling,  he  met  witii  an  acci- 
dent, which  I  will  prescndy  relate,  that  was  the  beginning'  of 
my  greatest  sufferiiigH.  I  was  engaged  in  pulling  to  rights  our 
new  house  and  my  husband'H  room,  when  I  heard  a  noise  out  of 
doors.  I  ran  to  the  window  and  saw  my  hushand  being  carried 
into  the  house  by  some  men.  His  face  was  lilue,  his  hands 
white,  his  eyes  iixed,  and  great  drops  of  sweat  stood  upon  his 
forehead.  He  had  received  a  sun-stroke.  I  was  more  dead  than 
alive  ;  and  the  children  uttered  piercing  shrieks.  We  immedi- 
ately laid  him  down,  and  tore  otf  all  his  clothing.  Fortunately 
the  surgeon  of  our  regiment,  who  was  already  with  us,  happened  at 
tlio  moment  to  be  in,  and  at  once  opened  a  vein.  He  now  reco- 
vered his  speech  and  told  us  that  as  he  was  walking  through  the 
garden,  the  sun  shone  down  intensely  upon  his  head;  and  he  had 
been  scarcely  able  to  reach  the  hou.se  when  his  adjutant  arrived  ; 
had  it  not  been  for  this  timely  aid  he  would  have  been  killed.  My 
(iod  I  what  would  then  have  beco  ne  of  me  and  my  little  child- 
ren in  the  midst  of  captives,  so  far  from  home,  and  in  an  enemy's 
land !  Even  now  my  hair  stands  on  end  whenever  I  think  of 
it.  As  soon  as  my  husband  again  came  to  himself,  he  took  me 
by  the  hand,  and  gazed  upon  me  with  an  affectionate  look. 
One  could  not  but  observe  that  he  considered  himself  very  dan- 
gerously ill.  If  I  went  away  even  for  au  instant,  he  became 
very  uneasy  and  followed  me  with  his  eyes.  The  physician, 
whom  we  had  summoned,  came ;  and  after  we  had  used  all  pos- 
sible care,  (xod  was  finally  pleased  to  preserve  for  me  my  beloved 
husband.  15ut  for  many  years  afterward  he  suffered  from  pains 
in  the  head,  and  from  debility,  which  made  him  grieve  the  more 
over  his  situation. 

The  use  of  a  certain  bath  in  A'iryinia,  which  is  called  I'lede- 


158 


LETTEBS  AND  .Jori{.\AhS 


rick-spring,  was  prescribed  for  liiiu,and  we  accordingly  journeyed 
thither.  1  believe  that  lie  incr(!»sed  his  disorder  by  always  wet- 
ting his  head  before  bathing;  and  what  was  still  worse  was,  that 
in  spite  of  all  we  could  do,  his  hair  would  remain  damp.  His 
fretfuluess  continued  and  the  thought  of  his  imprisonment 
worried  him  more  than  ever.  At  night  he  could  not  sleep.  I 
therefore  hit  upon  the  expedient  of  reading  to  him  in  a  particu- 
larly drowsy  tone.  This  was  successful,  for  he  always  went  to  sleep. 
His  hands  and  feet  were  constantly  blue,  and  cold  as  ice.  When- 
ever I  thought  that  I  might  safely  venture  to  lie  down,  hi.s 
aii'^uish  would  invariably  wake  him  up.  Every  thing  irritated 
him.  One  day  aA^irginian  came  into  my  room,  and  said  that  he 
Wfis  ?urious  to  see  a  German  woman,  eying  me,  at  the  same  time, 
from  head  to  foot.  I  was  delighted  at  the  idea  of  enjoying  my- 
self over  something.  Hut  when,  at  his  request,  I  brought  him 
to  my  husband,  the  latter  was  so  moved  at  the  idea  of  his  situa- 
tion compelling  him  to  be  gazed  upon  at  the  whim  of  this  or 
that  man,  that  the  tears  came  into  his  eyes,  and  I  sincerely  re- 
pented of  having  been  so  inconsiderate. 

We  made  at  J"'rederiek-S])ring,  the  acquaintance  of  General 
Washington's  family,  and  also  of  Madam  Garel  —  !i  very  lov- 
able woman  —  and  her  husband.  She  was  an  ardent  American 
patriot,  but  reasonable,  and  we  became  great  friends.  She  spent 
most  of  the  forenoons  with  us.  At  such  times  Captain  Gcisnnr 
played  the  violin  and  I  sang  Italian  airs,  which  gave  her  the 
greatest  delight.  One  day,  while  thus  engaged,  a  countryman, 
from  whom  wc  had  endeavored  by  many  kind  words  to  obtain 
fresh  butter,  came  in  upon  us.  As  the  Americans,  generally, 
are  fond  of  music,  he  listened  attentively,  and  when  I  had  finished, 
asked  me  to  sing  it  once  more.  I  asked  him  sportively  what  he 
would  give  nie  for  it ''.  as  I  did  nothing  gratis.  "  Two  pounds  of 
butter,"  he  at  once  answered.  The  idea  pleased  nu;,  and  1  began 
to  sing.  '•  IMay  auotiier  one,"  said  he.  as  soon  as  T  had  finished, 
"  but  something  lively."  At  lengtli  1  sang  so  much,  that  the 
next  morning,  he  brought  me  four  or  five  pounds  of  fresh  butter. 


OV  iUiS.  UF.SKUM   ItlKDEsEL. 


159 


He,  also,  had  his  wife  with  him,  and  entreated  me  to  sing  once 
more.  I  thus  succeeded  in  winning  their  aftection  ;  and  after- 
wards I  lacked  for  nothing.  The  best  of  the  joke  was,  that  lie 
actually  believed  I  wished  to  be  paid  for  my  singing,  and  won- 
dered njuch  when  I  paid  them  for  the  butter  which  they  supposeu 
they  had  already  sold. 

The  Virginians  are  generally  inert,  a  fate  which  they  attri- 
bute to  their  hot  climate;  but  on  the  slighest  inducement,  in  a 
twinkling,  they  leap  up  and  dance  about ;  and  if  a  reel  — ,an 
English  or  a  Scotch  national  dance —  is  played  for  them,  immedi- 
ately the  men  catch  hold  of  the  women  who  then  jump  up  as  if 
they  were  possessed;  but  as  soon  as  they  are  led  back  to  their 
chairs  they  sit  on  them  like  blocks  of  wood,  llcgardiug  the  prac- 
tices of  the  people  in  this  part  of  the  country,  one  cannot  give  a 
pleasant  description.  For  example,  they  informed  us  that  two 
maidens  had  been  got  with  child  by  their  father;  a  circumstance, 
which,  it  is  true,  occasioned  some  talk,  but  which,  nevertheless, 
remained  unpunished.  Another  man  also,  who  thought  his 
d;.ughter-in-law  handsomer  than  his  wife,  proposed  an  e.vcliatigo 
to  his  son,  who  consented,  on  the  condition,  that  his  father  should 
give  with  the  mother,  two  cows  and  two  horses.  The  exchange 
was  accordingly  made,  and  the  whole  afl'air  excited  no  farther 
comment.* 

The  landed  proprietors  in  A'irginia  own  many  negro  slaves, 
and  treat  them  badly.  Many  of  them  are  allowed  by  their  mas- 
ters to  run  naked  until  they  are  fifteen  and  sixteen  years  old, 
and  the  dre.ss  which  is  then  given  them,  is  scarcely  worth  wear- 
ing. 'J'he  slaves  have  an  overseer  who  leads  them  out  at  day- 
break into  the  field.*,  where  they  aie  obliged  t(j  work  like  beasts 


*  If  tlu'  sloi'ios  which  odiiic  to  us  from  our  wi'slerii  froiilior  nri'  to  be  believed, 
euc'h  gwdjin  are  not  unei)iiinioii.  Xor,  indeed,  need  we  i;o  to  the  west  for  Bueli 
examples  of  ijruoraiice.  A  few  months  since,  a  man  livim,'  in  Warren  county,  New 
York.nanjed  I'eterVrasUee,  swapped  liis  wife  for  that  of  auotlier  man.  irivin>,' a  cow 
to  boot :  and  wlici  he  was  told  liy  the  authorities  of  tlic  town  llial  sueli  a  transac- 
tion was  invalid,  li^  si'i'med  hi^'hly  otfended  at  what  lie  considered  their  imperti- 
nent interference  w)th  his  individual  riifhls  1 


■H^' 


IGO 


LETTEIl.S  AXD  JOUIiXALS 


or  receive  beatings ;  and  when  thoroughly  exhausted  and  burned 
by  the  sun ,  they  come  into  the  house.  They  are  given  Indian  meal 
called  hominy,  which  they  make  into  pastry.  But  often  they  arc 
tired  and  had  rather  sleep  for  a  couple  of  hours,  when  they  are 
again  obliged  to  go  to  work.  They  view  it  as  a  misfortune  to 
have  children,  as  they  in  turn  will  become  slaves  and  wretched 
men.  As  they  have  not  the  time  to  cultivate  the  little  land  which 
they  have,  they  possess  nothing,  and  are  only  able  by  the  sale  of 
poultry  to  scrape  together  sufficient  money  to  clothe  themselves. 
Still,  there  are  also  good  masters,  who  can  be  easily  told,  by  their 
slaves  being  well  clothed  and  housed.  Under  such  auspices, 
the  negroes  are  also  good  servants,  and  are  very  faithful  and  much 
attached  to  their  masters.  That  wicked  masters  have  disaffected 
servants  is  not  to  be  wondered  at. 

During  our  sojourn  at  this  bath,  my  husband  received  news 
which  gave  us  all  much  pleasure;  namely,  that  he  and  General 
Phillips,  with  their  adjutants,  had  permission  to  go  to  New 
York,  in  order  to  be  exchanged.  My  husband,  upon  this,  went 
back  to  Colle,  to  make  arrangements  for  the  maintenance,  in  his 
absence,  of  the  troops,  the  command  of  which  he  handed  over 
to  Colonel  .Spccht,  and  to  take  measures  for  the  sale  of  our  su- 
perfluous things,  and  especially,  our  new  house,  which  we  had 
as  yet  not  lived  in  —  in  which  situation,  indeed,  we  at  various 
times  afterwards  found  ourselves.  We  were  often  troubled  in 
this  way;  for  we  would  come  to  a  place,  expecting  to  remain  for 
some  time,  but  we  would  scarcely  get  our  things  to  rights,  at 
infinite  pains,  when  we  would  receive  an  order,  bidding  us,  in- 
stantly to  depart.  This  time,  however,  every  one  was  rejoiced. 
I  set  out  from  this  bath,  in  the  month  of  August,  1777,  to  join 
my  husband  in  York-town,  Pennsylvania.  Madame  (!arel.  the 
clever  woman,  whom  I  have  already  mentioned,  had  begged  me 
to  visit  them  at  their  country  seat,  in  the  province  of  Maryland, 
in  case  we  should  be  in  the  vicinity.  I,  therefore,  determined 
to  do  it  now.  Captain  Freeman,  one  of  my  husband's  English 
adjutants,  remained  with  us.      Captain  Edmonston  had  been 


^    ^ 


OF  MltS.  (IKXKIIM   niEDKsEI.. 


161 


cxchaiiired  through  the  intercession  of  his  Cather.  He  was  so  de- 
voted to  the  interests  of'uiy  husband,  and  it  gave  him  so  much 
pain  to  leave  liim,  that  the  latter  was  even  obliged  to  persuade 
him  to  retura  to  England.  His  departure  affected  >is  deeply, 
especially  when  lie  said,  "  T  am  certain  that  I  shall  never  see 
you  again." 

On  our  journey  to  the  country-scat  of  Mrs.  Ciarel,  Captain 
Freeman  saw  a  black  snake  —  which,  liowever,  is  not  danger- 
ous—  licking  a  frog  and  swallowing  him  down.  Crying  out 
sportively,  "  I  declare  myself  the  Knight  of  the  I'^rog,"  he  drew 
his  sword,  and  split  the  snake  open,  when  lo  I  the  frog  hopped 
out  of  its  stomach,  thoroughly  alive;  at  which  we  all  were 
greatly  amazed.  Before  we  arrived,  1  was  overturned  with  my 
wagon,  but  without  the  slightest  injury.  I  had  advised  Ma- 
dame Garel  of  my  arrival,  and  she  sent  a  man  on  horseback  to 
meet  me.  After  I  had  passed  through  a  very  pretty  hamlet, 
iuhabited  by  pure  negroes  —  each  of  whom  had  his  garden,  and 
understood  some  handicraft  —  we  drove  through  a  large  court- 
yard, to  a  very  beautiful  house,  where  the  whole  family  received 
us  with  a  joyful  welcome.  The  family  consisted  of  an  old  latlier- 
in-law,  eighty-four  years  of  age,  of  a  spriglitly  humor,  and  the 
most  extreme  neatness,  upon  whose  venerable  countenance,  ap- 
peared happy  contentment  j  four  perfectly  lovely  grandchildren  ; 
and  their  kind,  beloved  mother,  our  amiable  hostess.  We  were 
served  upon  silver,  and  entertained,  not,  it  is  true,  with  much 
di.^play,  but  with  taste.  Nothing  was  wanting  for  our  comfort. 
iShe  said  to  me  that,  as  she  hoped  I  would  remain  with  her  a  long 
time,  she  had  received  me  as  if  I  belonged  to  the  family. 

The  garden  was  magniticent ;  and,  on  the  following  day,  she 
drove  us  out  to  show  us  her  vineyard,  which  was  splendid,  and 
disi)layed  great  taste,  in  fact  exceeding  my  expectations.  l''irst, 
we  went  through  ii  great  fruit  garden.  Then  we  ascended  the 
vineyard  by  a  winding  path,  which  led  up  to  the  toj)  of  the  hill. 
IJetween  every  vine,  a  poplar-rose  an<l  an  amaranth  grew.  'I'lie 
efifeet  of  this  arrangement  was  to  give  a  magnificent  appearance 
21 


162 


lETTKh'S  AM)  JOUUXALS 


to  every  part  of  t lie  viiicyanl,  to  one  looking  down  from  tlic  top, 
such  a  one,  indeed,  that  for  beauty.  1  have  not  found  its  e((ual 
in  any  portion  of  America  which  I  have  seen.  The  husband 
of  Madame  Garel  had  traveled  abroad,  and  had  {iathered  these 
ideas  of  the  laying  out  of  grounds  in  Kngland  and  France. 
In  other  respects  he  was  not  very  lovable,  but  rather  brusque, 
and  niggardly,  and  not  at  all  suited  to  his  wife,  who,  although 
she  never  showed  it  by  outward  signs,  nevertheless  did  not  ap- 
pear to  be  happy. ,    Her  father-in  law  she  loved  very  much. 

Not  far  i'roiii  this  estate,  was  a  town,  called  Baltimore,  which 
they  told  me  was  very  pretty,  and  inhabited  by  many  amiable 
families.  We  received  a  visit  from  an  intimate  friend  of  our 
liostess.  IJotli  these  women  reminded  me  of  Kousseau's  Ileloise 
and  her  friend,  and  the  old  father  of  the  husband  of  Ileloise. 
^ladame  Uarul  was  as  i'uU  of  tender  feeling  as  she,  and  would, 
I  believe,  have  gladly  had  a  St.  Preux  for  a  husband.  We  ar- 
ranged for  her  a  temple  adorned  with  flowers,  after  the  design 
of  Captain  Freeman,  and  dedicated  it  to  Friendship  and  Grati- 
tude. She  wrote  mo  some  years  afterward,  that  the  family 
still  continued  to  trim  it  with  flowers.  The  lovely,  agreeable 
3Iadame  Garel,  is  now  dead;  and  her  family,  but  especially  her 
children,  have  met  with  a  great  loss.  We  remained  here  eight 
or  ten  days,  and  our  parting  was  very  sad.  They  suj)plied  us 
with  provisions  of  the  best  (|uality,  enough  to  last  for  a  long 
time.  We.  however,  did  not  really  need  them,  as  the  royalists, 
through  friendly  feeling,  and  the  others,  through  custom,  wel- 
comed us  kindly,  and  I'uruished  us  with  every  thing  needful  for 
our  sustenance.  In  this  country  it  would  be  held  a  crime  to 
rel'use  hospitality  to  a  traveler. 

Not  flir  from  the  place  where  T  was  to  meet  my  husband,  we 
were  overtaken  in  a  forest,  by  a  violent  thunder-storm.  A  trunk 
of  a  tree  broke  atul  fell  b(!tween  the  carriage-box  and  the  horses. 
Here  we  sat  fast  agrouiul.  and  could  not  stir  from  the  place,  as 
none  of  our  servants  were  strong  enough  to  move  the  tree  from 
the  spot  where  it  had  fallen.     In  the  meantime,  it  thundered 


OF  Mils.  (I EX h: I! A  I.   HrKDEsKI.. 


163 


tearfully;  the  liiihtiiing  struck  in  several  places  round  about 
us;  anil  another  and  larger  tree  threatened  to  crush  us.  I 
could  only  urge  the  servants  to  disengage  us  from  the  jam, 
but  the  coachman,  who  was  completely  bewildered,  assured  me, 
that  it  was  impnssible.  At  last,  my  little  (iustava,  who  was  at 
that  time  only  eight  years  old,  said,  '■  Only  unhitch  the  horses, 
and  put  them  behind  the  wagon,  and  you  can  draw  it  backwards." 
This  suggestion  was  immediately  acted  upon,  and  every  one  asked 
the  other,  why  that  idea  had  not  occurred  to  them  likewise'/ 
So  finally  we  arrived  happily  at  York-town,  in  Pennsylvania, 
where  we  (bund  my  husband,  who  had  been  vci*y  much  worried 
about  us,  on  ace  Mint  of  the  vivid  lightning.  We  rode  through 
a  magnificent  country,  and  passed,  among  others,  a  very  well 
cultivated  section  inhabited  by  the  ^Moravian  brethren.  One 
place  is  called  the  Holy  Sepulchre,  and  another  district  goes  by 
the  name  of  the  Holy  Land,  in  which  is  a  town  called  IJethlehem. 
We  found  a  right  good  tavern,  where  we  waited  for  those  of  our 
party,  who  were  still  behind.  T  had  brought  with  me  from 
\"irginia,  some  splendid  birds.  The  male  was  scarlet,  with  a 
still  darker  red  tuft,  as  large  as  a  jack-daw,  and  sang  magnifi- 
cently. The  female  was  gray,  with  a  red  breast,  and  had  also  a 
tuft.  As  soon  as  these  birds  are  caught  they  become  tame,  and 
cat  out  of  the  hand.  This  bird  lives  a  long  while,  but  if  two 
males  are  hung  up  in  the  same  room,  they  become  so  jealous 
of  each  other,  that  one  of  them  soon  dies  miserably.  1  saw  also 
in  ^'irginia,  blue  birds,  just  as  large,  that  constantly  cried  willo  ! 
This  afforded  us  considerable  amusement,  as  one  of  my  husband's 
aids  was  so  named.  One  of  our  servants  found  a  wlu)le  nest  of 
these  red  birds,  and  trained  them,  and,  as  he  knew  I  loved  them 
very  much,  he  carried  to  me  two  cages  full  of  them  from  Colic, 
iipoii  his  back.  l?ut  they  all  died  before  he  arrived,  which  gave 
us  considerable  sorrow.  .1  had  also  made  a  collection  of  very 
beautiful  butterflies,  and  had  packed  them  very  carefully  in  a 
trunk,  but  the  wagon  in  which  they  were  was  overturned,  and 
the  trunk  dashcil  to  pieces.      This   hapjiened   to   me  twice,  and 


1G4 


LETTKlls  ASl)  JoritXALK 


entirely  took  away  from  me  any  further  desire  to  make  another 
(.•(lUcetion. 

After  we  all  had  once  more  got  together  and  rested,  we  again 
set  out  and  came  to  the  house  of  a  family  wlio  gave  themselvea 
out  for  royalists.  Their  name  was  Van  Horn.  They  showed  us 
much  kindness,  and  begged  us  to  recommend  them  to  (Jeueral 
Cornwallis,  who,  as  well  as  (general  ("linton,  was  a  friend  of 
(ieneralJHiillips  and  had  brought  about  our  returu  from  Vir- 


We  came  to  a  very  pretty  place,  opposite  Staten  island,  called 
Elizabeth-town,  where  we  found  many  royalists  who  welcomed 
us  joyfully  and  treated  us  with  hospitality.  We  wore  now  so 
near  New  York  and  counted  so  surely  on  the  exchange  of  my 
husband  and  the  actual  fulfillment  of  our  dearest  wishes,  that, 
as  we  sat  together  at  dinner,  we  confidently  believed  that  we 
should  cross  over  immediately  to  New  York  and  be  restored  to 
freedom  that  same  evening.  But  suddenly  the  door  opened  and 
an  officer,  sent  by  tieneral  \Vashington,  stepped  inside  and 
handed  to  General  IMiillips  a  letter  with  an  order  to  return  again, 
as  the  congress  had  refused  to  ratify  the  exchange.  The  eyes 
of  (icneral  Phillips,  who  was  by  nature  very  i)assionate,  fairly 
scintillated  with  rage.  He  struck  the  table  with  his  fist,  and 
said,  "This  is  pleasant  I  but  we  should  have  expected  it  from 
these  people  who  are  all  rascals  1"  I  was  like  one  petrified,  and 
could  not  utter  a  single  word.  He  seized  me  by  the  hand,  and 
said  to  me,  "  Now,  my  friend,  ih)  not  allow  your  courage  to  fail 
you.  Follow  my  example;  see  how  collected  I  ami  "  "  Every 
one,"  answered  I  to  him,  "  shows  his  sorrow  in  his  own  fashion. 
I  keep  mine  in  my  heart,  and  3'ou  manifest  yours  with  passion. 
But  it's  my  opinion  that  you  would  do  better  not  to  allow  these 
people  to  see  you  in  such  a  passion,  who  will  only  make  sport 
of  you,  and  may  perhaps  make  you  still  more  trouble."  He 
acknowledged  that  I  was  right,  thanked  me,  and  assured  me 
that  he,  like  myself,  wnuld  bear  his  sufferings  with  resignation. 
From  this  time  lie  conducted  himself  perfectly  (quietly. 


I 


OF  Mlis.  <lK\h:itAI.   IlirDKSKh. 


105 


I  was  at  this  time  with  child,  and  in  constant  pain,  so  that 
the  journey  fatigued  me  exceedingly.  I  had  hoped  to  find  (|uict, 
and  he  amonj,'  people,  from  whom  I  could  have  received  good 
nursinj^.  Vain  hope  I  After  the  single  day's  halt  wliich  was 
allowed  us,  we  were  forced  to  turn  about  again,  and  stop  once 
tnore  at  the  liouse  of  the  Van  Horns.  This  time  we  found 
there  a  nephew  of  (leneral  Wasliington,  with  ((uite  a  number 
of  other  American  officers,  who  within  three  days  had  wrought 
such  a  wonderful  change  in  the  sentiments  of  these  people  (they 
were  among  tho.se  who  hang  their  cloaks  to  the  wind*),  that  we 
not  only  saw  tlie  daughters  of  these  pretended  royalists  on  the 
most  familiar  footing  with  the  anti-royalists,  and  allowing  them 
all  kinds  of  liberties ;  hut,  as  they  thought  we  would  not  now 
dare  to  remonstrate,  we  heard  them  singing  during  the  whole 
night,  "God  SAVE  (iUEAT  Wasuin(!Ton  1  God  damn  the 
Kino  I "  Upon  our  departure  the  next  morning,  I  could 
scarcely  conceal  my  indignation.  AVe  now  returned  to  Bethle- 
hem, where  my  husband  and  General  Phillips  were  allowed  by 
the  Americans  to  remain  until  the  particulars  of  the  exchange, 
which  was  yet  unfinished,  should  be  settled;  and,  as  our  I'ormer 
landlord  in  this  place  had  treated  us  with  kind  hospitality,  we 
all  of  us  determined  to  board  with  liim — "all  of  us  "  being  six- 
teen persons,  and  four  house  servants.  The  latter  received 
money  with  which  to  pay  their  board.  We  had,  also,  about 
twenty  horses.  Our  host  would  make  with  us  no  definite  agree- 
ment about  the  price,  and,  as  none  of  us  had  any  money,  this 
was  very  convenient,  as  he  woidd  cheerfully  wait  for  his  pay  till 
we  received  some.  We  supposed  liini  to  be  an  honest  and  rea- 
sonable man,  and  the  more  so,  as  he  belonged  to  the  community 
of  Moravian  brethren,  and  the  inn  was  the  one  patronized  by 
that  society.  But  how  great  was  our  surprise,  when,  after  a  resi- 
dence of  six  weeks,  and  just  as  we  had  received  permission  to 
go  to  New  York,  we  were  served  with  a  bill  of  thirty-two  thou- 


*  Thu  Ijioniiau  cxpivs^ioii  lor  luiu  wlm  tfiniiorizes. 


Uf 


166 


I.HTTKItS  AM)  .11)1-1! \.{l,s 


suiiJ  tlolliirs,  tliiit  in  to  siiy,  in  Aini'iieim  jiapcr  inoiiuy,  wliit-li  is 
alxiut  (our  l)iiiulreJ  uuiiK'as  in  actnal  money.  Had  it  not  hoeii 
for  a  royalist,  who  Jnst  at  this  time  elnmi'ed  to  pass  throiijih  the 
viUaj^e  seeking  to  j)nrehase  liard  money  at  any  price,  wc  should 
have  been  placed  in  the  {greatest  cmbarrassnient,  and  would  not 
have  been  able  by  any  possibility  to  leave  the  town.  From  him, 
we  were  so  fortunate  as  to  receive  for  one  piaster,  eighty  dollars 
in  paper  money.* 

My  husband  suffered  greatly  the  whole  time  from  constant 
pains  in  his  head  ;  and  at  night  he  could  scarcely  breathe.  To 
obtain  a  little  relief,  he  now  accustomed  himself  to  use  snuff,  a 
practice,  which  until  this  period,  he  had  regarded  with  the  great- 
est aversion.  I  first  persuaded  him  to  take  one  pinch.  He 
believed  that  I  was  making  fun  of  him  ;  but  as  the  very  next 
instant  after  tlu;  trial,  he  experienced  relief,  he  exchanged  his 
pijie  for  a  snuff-box.  My  little  Caroline  was  very  sick,  with  a 
choking  cough  and,  as  1  ))ecame  continually  further  advanced 
in  pregnancy,  we  all  heartily  wished  to  reach  New  ^'ork  as  soon 
as  possible,  in  order  to  have  near  at  liaiid  the  comforts  of  lH'e, 
good  nursing,  and  all  necessary  help. 

In  Bethlehem,  as  in  all  other  Moravian  communities,  there 
were  separate  houses  for  tlie  brethren  and  sisters.  In  the  latter 
establishments  they  made  magnificent  embroidery,  and  other 
beautiful  handiworks,  and  we  l)ought  at  these  places  several 
articles.  A  .Miss  (iirsdorff,  a  (lerman,  who  al'terwards  resided 
at  Herrnhut,  had  taught  the  sisters  all  these  kinds  of  work. 
The  houses  of  this  community  were  well  built,  ami  there  were 
at  this  place  all  sorts  of  numufactories.  Among  others,  there 
was  one  that  dressed  leatlier.  which  was  as  good  as  that  of  Kng- 


*  111  tlio  iiiDiith  orDcci'iiilicr.  IMIil.a  iiUTclimit  in  Ni'w  Vork  received  fnini  aOcr- 
iMiin  liDiise.  Iwi)  liiindred  d<dliirs  in  Vwilhn nlitl  iikhkij.  willi  l!u'  leciiiesl  Hint  it 
iiiiL'liI  lie  placed  In  liiscn'dit,  Tl  is  not  al  all  an  iinpi-obalile  suiiposilidii.  that  lliis 
was  part  ol  s{inie  t'onliiieiilal  money  wliicli  had  been  cavried  over  In  (ierinanv.  after 
IIk'  Hevoliitinn.  by  llie  (ierinan  anxiliai'ies,  Anbiirey  in  liis  Trnrih.  says,  thai  lie 
discbariri'd  in  an  inn  at  Kredericlisinwii.  ji  reckoning'  (d'  CT^W  sterling:  "itii  almiil 
I'uiir  Linineas  and  a  hall. 


of  Mits.  <ii:.\h:ii.\i.  iiii:iii-:si-:i.. 


167 


I 


Iniiil.  ixnd  liiiU' as  (.-lioaii.  Tlio  ^'oiitlemeii  of  o>ir  ]iiirfy  liouu'Iit  a 
(lUiiiitity  of  it.  Tliure  won;  also  vory  clovor  eabiiict-inakors, 
workcrw  in  stool,  and  oxooliont  sniitlis.  Wo  had  vory  luuoh 
wisliod  to  sue  I'liiladolphia,  which  is  only  twolvo  or  thirtoon 
niilos  I'rom  Uothii-honi,  and  to  which  place  there  is  a  clear,  iiood 
road,  liut  as  this  was  not  allowed  to  my  husband  and  tlio  other 
gontlonien.  and,  a,s  f  wished  to  share  with  my  beloved  liushaiid 
his  joy,s  and  sorrows,  I  cheerfully  }j;avo  it  up.  While  at  IJetli- 
loheni  wc  often  wont  to  church,  and  enjoyed  the  .splendid  sinj;- 
ing.  The  wife  of  the  minister  died  while  wo  were  there.  We 
saw  her  laid  out  in  a  se]iarate  enclosure,  witli  bars,  waiting  for 
burial;  for  hero  thoy  never  keep  a  dead  body  in  the  house. 

Finally,  at  the  end  of  November,  177!>,  we  again  set  out  from 
]Jothlehom.  .My  husband,  (lOiioral  Phiili])S,  and  their  .several 
aid  decamps,  had  not,  indeed,  boon  exchanged,  but  pormi.'^sion 
liad  been  received  for  them  to  go  to  Now  Vork  on  [)arole.  1  did 
not  wish  to  call  again  on  the  Van  Horns,  for  I  despise  doul)lo 
dealing  people  ;  but  wo  had  the  fatality  of  having  our  wagon 
break  down  before  their  vory  door,  so  that  I  was  forced  to  tarry 
with  them  until  the  d, image  could  be  repaired.  1  did  not,  how- 
ever, remain  over  night  at  their  liouse;  and  when  thoy  again 
asked  tluit  we  .should  recommend  them,  and  assured  us  of  their 
devotion  to  the  king,  in  wliose  army  the  head  of  the  family  had 
served  as  a  colonc:!,  I  answered  c(ddly  that  I  believi'd  be  did  not 
need  our  rec<imniendatious  ;  which  reply  he  was  welcome  to  take 
as  he  pleased.  We  came,  al.-;o,  once  more  to  Klizabeth-town, 
where  we  were  again  kindly  received,  embarked  upon  the  Hud- 
son river,  and  roatduid  New  York  very  late  in  the  evening, 
where  my  husband,  who  had  gone  on  ahead  of  us,  had  already 
airivod  before  me.  A  soldier,  who  at  the  gateway,  liad  been 
ordered  to  show  us  the  way,  conducted  us  to  a  very  great  and 
beautiful  house,  where  we  fi  ind  every  thing  jireiiared  for  our 
reception,  and  lietter  than  all.  a  good  supper.  I  was  too  much 
occupied  in  putting  my  cliildren  to  bed,  and  too  tir(!d  to  inquire 
where  1  was,  and  snpj)0sed  1  was  in  a  public-house.     My  husband, 


ins 


i.hrrrKiis  .wo  .mrusM.x 


wlio  liiul  takon  tea  witli  (iiMiural  ('oniwallis,  eaiiir  huiiiL-  lato. 
Till!  next  murniiiu  a  servant  eaiiie  in  tuask  me  what  I  desired  lor 
dinner,  and  liow  many  visitors  I  would  proliably  have  daily  at 
tabl(!;  I  replied  that  as  my  husband  did  not  dine  at  home,  I  should 
not  need  nuu'e  than  three  disiios  for  six  persons,  nanudy  :  myself, 
my  children,  my  women  servants,  and  the  pasUu',  Mylins,  the 
chaplain  of  my  husband's  regiment,  whom  we  retained  in  our 
family,  and  who  j;ave  my  children  instruction  in  every  thinj^' 
useful,  lie  was  a  man  of  piety  and  of  excellent  character,  and 
good  humor;  and  the  children  and  we  all  loved  him  very  much. 
[  was  then  told  that  the  order  had  been  ;jriven  to  serve  upon  my 
table  every  day  six  larj^e,  and  four  small  dishes.  Jiein;^  still 
luider  the  imprew.sion  that  I  was  in  a  tavern,  I  decidedly  forbade 
this  profusion,  as  I  dreaded  the  l)ill.  Hut  I  soon  discovered, 
that  [  was  staying  al  the  luuise  of  the  governor,  (ieneral  Tryon, 
who  liad  forbiden  them  to  tell  me  where  I  had  been  taken, 
through  fear  that  1  would  not  accept  of  his  house.*  This  noble 
minded  man,  moreover,  in  (u'der  to  avoid  my  thanks,  crossed 
over  to  liong  Island,  where  he  had  a  jirovisional  command.  All 
my  wishes  were  anticipated,  and  1  was  only  in  continual  fear 
lest  [  should  abuse  so  much  kindness.  J  also  received  a  call 
i'rom  (ieneral  I'atter.'^on,  tiie  commandant  of  the  city,  who  told 
me  that  they  were  still  busy  with  the  arrangement  of  the  house 
which  we  were  to  have  as  our  own  residence.     Jiord  Cornwallis 


*  Till'  silo  ol'llii;  iH'i'si'iil  llsCiTI  Hank  nrNcw  York. 

"On  lluMiiirhl  (ilDi'ccniliiT  •,>!i|li.  ITT:i.  tlic  L'dvcrnnicnl  liiinsi'  iicciiU'iilally  ciiii^'lil 
lliv.  So  rapid  was  llic  priiL'rcss  iil'ilii'  ilanu's  ilial  in  a  I'cw  nionicnls  alter  tlic  alarm 
was  irivcii.  a  lliiuk  <'iiin(l  of  snidkc  and  llanio  piTvad<'d  llic  wliolf  liniliiinj;.  and  in 
less  Ijian  Iwo  luinis  ll  was  cMliicly  consniMcd.  Kniin  lliis  dicadlul  i(MillaL'iali(jn, 
inilliini;-  in  llic  huildin;;.  rxci'pl  a  lew  arlirli'sol  liiniilun'.  taken  linni  one  oriiic  par- 
lors was  saved.  'I'lie  niannerin  wiiieli  llw  lire  iiri},'iiiate(l  was  not  diseoveivil.  'I'lie 
deep  snow  wliieli  covered  the  idols  of  the  other  ImildiiiL's  in  tlu'  eity.  ccnitrilinted 
towards  their  proleition,  anil  the  lire  <lei)artnient  of  the  cily  showed  great  activity 
in  preveiiliiii,'  the  progress  of  the  llainos.  Gov.  Tryon  was  a  resident  of  the  govern- 
ment honse  ill  the  fori  al  the  time  of  Us  destrncllon.  and  was  a  heavy  loser  by  the 
event.  Ileaflerwarils  resided  in  a  liouJC  on  the  corner  of  Wall  and  Willhim  streets, 
the  sanio  house  having  hceii  sitl)se(|iienlly,  and  until  lale  years  oecnpied  by  the  Hank 
of  New  York."   -  \'(i/tii/tile'.i  .Uiiniidl  fur  INil.  page  lU:i. 


OF  Mi!s.  <iK\h:iiM.  itii:itt:sh:i.. 


109 


anil  Qcnenil  Clinton  likewise  came  to  see  nio.  Tho  tornicr 
went  off  soon  uf'terwiinls  uiion  an  expedition.  The  latter  offered 
me  a  country-seat,  ot'wiiich  he  hud  the  disposal,  where  L  mij-iit 
have  my  children  inoculated  with  the  smull-iiox ;  an  operation 
which  it  would  bo  dangerous  to  have  performed  in  the  city,  as 
that  disease  was  raj-ini^  there  violently.  1  accepted  his  offer  with 
much  satisfaction,  and  we  made  all  necessary  preparations  to  yo 
there.  I  gave  our  cooii  ten  guineas  to  purchase  all  kinds  of 
provisions.  IJut  when  ho  very  soon  came  back  and  asked  for 
more  money,  I  learned  to  my  surprise  that  the  money  I  had  given 
him  would  scarcely  la.st  for  two  days  —  so  dear  was  every  thing, 
even  the  commonest  thing.  For  exanqtle,  one  pound  of  meat, 
reckoning  according  to  our  money,  cost  twelve  groschen  ;*  one 
pound  of  butter,  eighteen  groschen;  one  turkey,  four  rix-tha- 
Icrsja  fowl  twenty  groschen  J  an  egg,  four  groschen  ;  a  quart 
of  milk,  six  grosciien ;  a  busliel  of  potatoes,  two  rix-thalers  ;  a 
half  bushel  of  turnips,  two  florins;  ten  oysters,  eight  groschen, 
and  six  onions,  one  rixthaler.  But  what  was  there  left  for  me 
to  do,  but  to  bear  it  with  patience'::'  f 

One  day  a  general  was  announced.     I  received  him,  and,  in 
the  course  of  conversation,  he  asked  me,  among  other  things, 


*  A  fifoj-chcn,  nH  has  been  mentioned  In  8  preceding  note,  is  a  fraction  over  three 
Amoricau  centn. 

t  All  contemponinoons accounts  rullycorroliorate  iIk^  Ktatcnicnt  olOur  uiilliDreso, 
Thuricli,  iiitliecily.  at  llrst  ntrovcao  keep  ni>  tlicir  six  courses,  tlieirtluve  side  ser- 
vices, and  llieir  profusion  of  llsii,  llesliaiid  fowl ;  l)ut  at  len.utli  their  resources  failed  ; 
many  articles  of  food  couhl  no  louirer  i)e  olitained,  and  others  were  so  dear  as  to  ex- 
haust tlie  means  of  the  wealtinest.  A  turkey  was  cheap  at  four  dollars,  (iood  meat 
could  seldom  he  procured,  and  ve^'elahles  were  extravairantly  dear.  Fifty  dollars, 
says  an  eye  witness,  would  not  feed  a  IHniily  for  two  days.  Sir  Henry  Cliuton  en- 
treated tiie  farmers  in  the  vicinity  to  l)rinL!  i"  provisions,  but  in  vain.  Nor  was  lie 
more  successful  in  tlie  foraiiini,'  parties  he  sent  out.  At  siu'ht  of  the  enemy,  the 
alarm  was  },'iven.  'I'he  farmers  of  Weslport  and  Soulliport,  of  I':iizabelh-lowu  and 
Itahway,  hastily  buried  their  corn  and  oats  beneath  the  snow,  and  old  liimily  furni- 
ture was  carried  otf  at  midnii;lit  and  hidden  in  tlie  depths  of  the  forest.  The  Itri- 
tish  lorairin!,'  parties,  accordingly,  found  tlie  harns  empty,  the  cattle  driven  oil',  and 
tlie  farm-houses  deserted.  In  their  ra!,'e  tlie  forai,'er»  set  tire  to  the  old  homesteads, 
and  desolated  whole  districts  -- thus  iucreasini;  the  general  misery  without  accom- 
plishing tlie  least  jjood. 

22 


170 


IKTTKIts  AM)  .lorriXM.n 


wlioflicr  I  wua  satiBficd  with  my  (|Uurlor8  't  My  hoiirt  wns  too 
full  ol'  tli!ink('ulii(;,s«  Ibr  nil  tlio  kiiidiicHs  that  had  buou  shown 
nil',  nut.  til  jiivo  full  vent  ti)  my  I'tiidiiiys  in  this  roj^anl  ;  and  I 
at  last  oxjiressod  tlio  wish  to  know  personally  my  nohlu  heno- 
factor  wiio  liad  treated  nie  with  sn  mueli  delieatty.  He  laii;;hed, 
and  just  at  that  moment  my  husband  stepped  in  and  said  tn 
mc,  '•  That  is  the  man  who  has  shown  us  so  much  kindness!" 
I  was  so  deli;^hted  at  seeinji  him.  that  I  eonld  not  find  words 
to  express  my  I'eelinj^s.  Upon  seeinj:,-  my  emotion  the  man  was 
very  much  aiVeeted.  [  have  invariably  received  I'rom  him  the 
the  jireatcst  proofs  of  iiis  Iriendship. 

'I"he  country  residence  of  (lencral  Clinton,  where  we  went, 
was  an  hour's  ride  from  the  city.  The  grounds  were  beaut ifid, 
ns  was  also  the  house ;  but  the  hitter  was  arranjred  more  for  a 
summer  residence,  and,  as  we  liad  come  fliere  in  the  month  of 
Deccndter,  we  suffered  much  from  the  cold.  Notwithsfandiuf^' 
this,  however,  the  inoculation  was  perfectly  successful.  Accord- 
inj:ly,  as  it  was  now  completed,  and  we  had  nothinj!,'  more  to  fear 
from  the  infection,  we  yot  ourselves  in  readiness  to  return  to 
the  city,  an<l  sent  our  cook  and  the  rest  of  our  servants  ahead  to 
pre})are  every  tliinj;-  for  our  arrival,  which  we  exjieeted  would 
be  upon  the  followinj;'  day.  During;'  the  night,  however,  we  had 
such  a  terrible  storm  that  we  believed  the  whole  house  would 
be  overturned.  As  it  was,  an  entire  balustrade  actually  fell 
down  with  a  dreadful  crash  ;  and,  on  getting  up  the  next  morning, 
we  saw  that  on  accoimt  of  snow  having  fallen  during  the  night 
f(Uir  or  five  feet  on  the  level,  and  eight  feet  in  drilts,  it  would 
be  utterly  impossible  to  venture  Ibrth  without  sledges.  I  there- 
fore went  to  work  to  hunt  up  all  that  I  could  find  for  our  dinner. 
An  old  hen  that  had  been  forgotten  served  us  for  soup,  and  some 
potatoes  which  the  gardener  gave  us,  with  some  salt  meat  that 
still  remained  over  from  our  stock  of  provisions,  made  up  the 
entire  meal  for  more  than  fourteen  persons,  which  number  we 
then  were. 

While  I  was  standing,  the  same  afternoon,  by  the  window, 


oy  Mils.  i,h:\i-:i/M.  itiHDHsui,. 


171 


lluirou^ilily  peijilcxuil,  I  saw  uiir  cook  iiiiiirouoliirigitii  li(ir«ohaok. 
["'illed  with  joy,  I  (itrrii)il  roiiiid  to  (lit'  ri.-st  of  tlin  i-oinpauy  to 
iiiiiiouiiL'o  tlio  iiii.spiL'ious  iirriviil.  Hut  iiiioii  jiLiain  lnokinj;'  out, 
I  i!uukl  not  HOC  or  liuar  any  tliiii;;'  iiku'c  oI'  tlio  cook  !  'rci-rilicd 
lit  \m  diHappuaraiieo,  tlio  <^LMitloiiiuii  ininicdiatoly  ran  out,  and 
found  liini,  to^i'tlior  witli  liis  liorwo,  completely  Imiicd  in  the 
nnow,  from  which  position  without  their  help  he  coulil  not  havo 
ij,ot  out,  and  perliaps  never  would  have  heen  able  to  extricate 
him.self.  Our  people  had  been  (|uite  uneasy  at  our  uon-arrival, 
and,  iM  they  knew  our  larder  was  completely  exhausted,  the  cook 
had  brouj;lit  us  some  jirovisions  which  supplied  us  with  an  ovo- 
nin?;'  meal.      It  was  impossible  to  drive  into  the  city  in  a  waj;,((n. 

The  morning  of  the  next  day  brought  us  Captain  Willoe  with 
two  large  sledges,  In  which  wo  seated  ourselves.  I  was,  liowever, 
not  without  anxiety,  in  regard  to  the  children,  whoso  pocks  had 
not  yet  entirely  dried  up,  on  account  of  the  terrible  cold  weather. 
The  ride,  however,  did  them  no  injury  whatever.  During  the 
period  of  inoculation  Carolina  lost  her  whooping-cough,  but 
immediately  after  it  came  back  again  and  lasted  a  whole  year. 

On  our  return  to  New  York  I  found,  to  my  great  amazement, 
our  new  dwelling  fitted  uii  throughout  with  mahogany  furniture. 
I  was  at  first  frightened  at  the  exi)ense  which  this  would  occa- 
sion. JJut  Captain  Willoe  informed  me  that  the  entire  cost 
would  be  defrayed  by  the  governor,  and  that  tlie  commandant, 
General  Patterson,  considered  himself  fortunate  in  being  able  to 
justify  the  confidence  which  1  had  placed  in  the  Knglish  nation. 
To  render  tliis  remark  intelligible,  I  must  hero  state  that  I  had 
assured  him,  when  he  consulted  me  ujion  the  arrangement  of  our 
house,  that  1  would  leave  every  thing  entirely  to  the  Knglish, 
from  whom,  up  to  the  present  time,  I  had  received  sincere  kind- 
ness and  courtesy,  and  who  certainly  would  still  preserve  towards 
us  that  full  confidence,  which  tlioy  had  shown  towards  us. 

They  overwhelmed  us  with  distinguished  marks  of  courtesy 
and  friendship,  for  which  avc  had,  in  a  great  measure,  to  thank 
deueral  Phillips,  who  in  New  York  was  very  much  beloved,  and 


lit- 


172 


LETTEll.S  AM)  .1  Of  II SALS 


O 


^ 


was  so  strong  a  friend  of  ours,  that  liu  doclared  tliat  wliatover 
was  done  for  ii.«,  would  flutter  him  more  tlian  as  ii'  done  for  him- 
self. I  had  also  the  good  I'ortuue  during  our  stay  to  make 
many  friends  on  my  own  account. 

As  the  birth-day  of  the  queen  of  England  was  approaching 
(which  indeed  really  comes  in  summer,  but  as  the  king's  birth- 
day also  comes  in  that  season,  is  celebrated  in  winter,  to  give 
more  custom  to  the  trades  people,  as  every  one  upon  those  days 
appears  at  court  in  gala-dress)  they  wished  to  celebrate  the  day 
with  a  great  fete;  and  as  it  was  the  general  wish — partly  to 
please  Generi;!  Phillips,  and  partly  to  make  me  forget  my  own 
sufieriiigs  —  to  confer  on  me  a  distinguished  honor,  they  desired 
me  to  be  queen  of  the  ball.  In  order  to  bring  thia  about  they 
persuaded  the  wife  of  General  Cernwallis's  adjutant  —  who  as 
an  English  lady  of  noble  birth  would  have  had  precedence  over 
me  —  to  remain  at  home,  on  the  ground  ihat  she  was  near  her 
confinement.*  V/hen  at  length  the  great  day  arrived,  all  the 
ladies  assembled  at  Governor  Tryon's,  where  they  received  me 
with  all  ceremony.  The  general  iutroduced  me  to  all  the  ladies, 
some  of  whom  were  envious  of  the  honor  which  was  shown  me. 
But  1  immediately  declared  that  I  received  this  distinction  only 
on  account  of  the  day,  as  they  had  conferred  on  me  thelionorof 
representing  the  queen,  and  that  in  future  I  would  give  place 
to  those  ladies  who  were  older  tluin  I.  As  there  were  quite  a 
number  present  who  were  my  elders,  my  explanation  conciliated 
them.  Their  countenances,  accordingly,  quickly  brightened  up, 
and  I  was  soon  upon  a  pleasant  footing  with  the  whole  company.' 

At  six  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  T  was  obliged  to  seat  myself 
in  a  carriage  with  Generals  Tryou  and  Patterson  to  be  driven 
to  the  ball,  wliere  we  were  received  with  kettle-drums  and 
trumpets. 

I  wi.<hed,  as  I  was  far  advanced  with  child,  not  to  dance. 


■ 


*  Ah  Madam  Tiii'ili'spl  was  in  ii  similar  silimlinn  lifi'sclf.  the  valiility  of  this  cx- 
ciiM-'  i^■  uul  su  ai>iian'iil. 


T 


f 


■■ 


OF  MliS.  aKXaUAL  HIKHESEL.  173 

IJut  I  was  obli^eJ  to  open  tlic  hall  with  one  ni'  the  geucra!>  by 
u  t'oruiai  uiiauot.  i\Iy  situutioa  as  well  as  my  bashCiiliiess  was 
the  oocaijiou  of  my  tluiikii:;^-  luysell'  very  awkwarJ.  In  order, 
however,  to  remove  my  timidity,  tliey  all  assured  me  that  I  did 
very  well,  aud  must  dance  ouee  more  ;  aud  the  result  w;ii.s,  that 
1  daaced  several  Enj^lish  u  luces. 

At  sui)per,  I  was  obli<;vd,  as  I  represented  the  (fueen,  to  sit 
undor  a  canopy,  and  drink  the  first  toast.  I  was  certainly 
mucl.  touched  at  all  the  marks  of  friendship  I  received,  although 
extremely  tired;  still,  in  order  to  show  my  gratitude,  I  cheer- 
fully stayed  as  long  as  possible,  aud  remained  until  two  o'clock 
in  the  morning.  Not  only  on  this  oecasiou.  but  during  the 
whole  of  my  sojourn  in  this  place,  I  was  loaded  with  kindness; 
and  [  passed  the  remainder  of  the  winter  very  pleasantly,  with 
rhc  exception  of  suffering  very  much  from  the  cold,  iis  the  com- 
missary had  not  had  a  sullieient  quantity  of  wood  cut.  To  save 
expon.-*!,  he  had  this  work  done  by  his  negro  slaves  ;  and  the 
winter  setting  in  earlier  tlian  usual,  aud  it  being  impossible,  as 
the  river  was  frozen  half  over,  to  bring  in  wond  either  by  boats 
or  sledues,  many  of  the  garrison  suffered  for  fuel.  We,  indeed, 
received  an  order  for  it;  but  how  did  that  help  the  matter  since 
there  was  no  wood  to  be  had  '.  V\'e  weri,-,  therefore,  often  obliged 
t"':  or:'ow  wood  of  General  Tryon  for  Saturday  and  Sunday,  which 
we  .vould  return  (ui  ^londay  if  we  received  any.  'i'lic  cold  was 
so  intense,  that  I  frequently  made  the  children  lie  in  bed  in 
ordi'r  to  keep  th(mi  warm.  Wood  often  could  not  be  purchased 
for  money ;  and  if  by  chance  a  little  was  fir  sale,  it  cost  ten 
pounds  by  the  cord.  I  have  myself  pai<l  one;  piaster  (which 
is  a  crown  with  us)  for  a  single  stick,  'fhe  ))oor  were  obliged 
to  burn  fat,  in  order  to  warm  themselves  and  cook  their  meals.* 


*  ■•Tlin  v.i'ivlih.v."  wnli's  !i  CDnrenipDnirv.  •' ?liivori'(l  I'or  cold  in  tlioir  Hplendiil 
!i)inrtuuMiis.  Ill  viiiii  did  sif  Henry  Cliiitiiii  i^^<lll'  i)nii'l,uiiRti(iiiH  to  the  farmnrsiil" 
l.oiii;  Inland  10  vijid  in  tUcir  wood.  In  vain  did  Im  diiiiialeli  foragjiic  jmrticf  (ci  iit 
down  till!  Ion  Bin  on  tliu  laino  I'stateo  ot  the  pah'iols  William  Floyd  and  Williani 
Suiilli,  llu' palroouii  ol'  Loujj  Island.    Tlii.'  douiand  for  fuel  i;oiild  iiol  \k  siij.plii)i|. 


<!»•. 


174 


I.ETTEUS  AX/)  JO('i;XAlS 


One  Jay  J  was  at  tlic  lioiise  of  the  lady  of  Geueral  (^irtiwallis'y 
aid-dt'-iamp,  who  had  boon  coufined,  and  complained  bitterly  of 
tliis  lack  of  wood ;  whevoupon,  .she  promi.sed  to  send  lae  some 
coals,  which  I  eonld  relurn  at  my  own  convenience,  i  showed 
!?o  much  joy  at  thi.s,  that  a  cert^iiu  major  named  Brown,  who 
happened  to  be  present  and  was-  attached  to  the  (•ommis-a- 
riat,  and  who  had  already  expi-e(<.sed  nuieh  sympathy  at  our 
want  of  wood,  was  so  much  affected  that  he  imD-.juiately  lei't  ihe 
romn. 

The  next  day,  as  I  was  looking  out  of  the  window,  T  .saw 
•juite  a  number  of  wagons  full  of  chopped  trees  .standing  still  in 
the  street.  Each  wagon  contained  two  cords  of  wood.  I  went 
into  tlie  room  where  the  pastor,  .Myliu>,  sat  with  the  children 
before  the  fire-place  in  which  tlie  la.st  stick  was  burning,  and  .said 
to  him,  ''Mev,''r  before  have  J  been  envious,  but  now  the  distress 
and  i»aiu  which  these  poor  children  suffer,  make  me  so;  for  just 
now  there  has  come  to  our  very  door  Jnur  wagons  filled  with  wood. 
How  happy  would  1  be  if  I  only  had  some  of  it !  "  Scarcely  had 
I  thus  f^pokeu,  when  a  servant  brought  me  a  message  froni  Major 
Brown,  stating  that  he  had  sent  me  these  loads  of  wood  with  his 
compliments,  and  begging  us  to  send  to  him  whenever  we  should 
again  be  out  of  fuel.  Imagine  my  joy,  and  my  eagerness  to  thank 
our  guardian  anucl.  1  had  scarcely  .seen  his  lace,  as  the  lyuig-in 
chamber  of  milady  had  been  so  dark.  Home  days  after  I  was  at 
a  ball  wliere  he  also  was  expected  to  be  present.  Ue  had  been 
described  to  me  as  a  man  with  a  \ery  [>romincnt  tiu-ncd  up  no.se. 
For  such  a  per.son,  theiefore.  I  lookc<l  attentively;  but  1  was 
obliged  to  look  for  a  long  time,  because  the  cxccUeut  man  kept 
continually  out  of  my  way,  that  1  might  have  no  opportunity 
to  thank  him.  At  la<t.  however,  I  found  him  and  thanked  him 
right  heartily,  lie  then  told  me  that  up  to  that  time  he  had 
known  nctliingof  our  necessity,  but  that  when  he  heard  my  slurv 


ami  llu' niiroiir><r»  Kioili-'M.'I,  till' ^•alv^'so(l  111' all  tin'  ann>.  MilUri'il  t-fVi'ivly  in  lliul 
iiakiiuMit  wiiiluf  ' 


fiF  MRS.  (rI-:.\Elt.lL  h'lKDKsKL. 


175 


ho  had  not  been  fiMo  to  go  to  sleep  <|uictly  t!i(>  whole  night,  through 
fear  that  the  dispositions  which  he  hud  already  made  for  our 
relief  would  not  arrive  suflieicntly  speedy.  These  '•■  dii-positions  " 
consisted  in  giving  the  order  tn  cut  down  some  of  the  trees  in 
the  great  avenue  in  front  of  the  city;  *  and  when  this  proceed- 
ing was  objected  to  on  the  ground  that  it  would  make  consider- 
able damage,  he  replied,  that  it  was  much  better  to  spare  a  few 
trees  than  to  have  a  family,  who  had  served  the  king  with  so 
mucli  zeal,  suffer  from  want.  He  further  told  me  that  in  future 
we  must,  under  all  circumstances,  whenever  any  thin.;  was  want- 
ing that  it  belonged  to  the  eouunissary  to  supply,  apply  directly 
to  him.  Tliis  actiuaintance  was  of  great  advantage  to  us.  .'Nly 
husband  was  supplied  with  many  kinds  of  jnovisions  ;  with  In- 
dian meal,  part  of  which  we  used  for  bread  and  p;irt  for  cake,  and 
aho  with  salted  meat,  which  latter  article,  however,  was  entirely 
useless  to  us,  as  we  received  nmre  than  we  could  consume;  and 
it  often  was  so  uneatable  that  1  gave  it  away  to  gi;t  rid  of  it, 
es])ccially  since  our  .servants  were  also  supplied  wi(h  the  same 
kind  of  food  J'hc  major,  accoidlngly.  advi.sed  us  to  pursue  ihc 
same  plan  in  this  regard  as  the  oiuer  generals,  viz:  to  exchange 
our  meat  for  hoxes  of  tallow  and  caudles  of  spermaceti  (wliicii 
burn  better  and  are  more  beautiful  t'um  those  of  wax),  and  also 
for  butter,  which  they  did  gladly,  as  they  were  obliged  to  sup- 
ply the  soldiers  with  meat.      By  this  means,  we  saved  consider- 


*  Prr.liuhly.  the  pro-cnt  Wiil!  street.  .\ll  the  princiiiiil  hiu'hwiiys  ofthe  eity  were 
ildonied  at  this  period  wiih  luxuriaiil  sliiul<:  tree.-.  A  eelehniled  truveh'r,  whi. 
visited  New  Vorli.jiist  iJicvidns  ti)  the  ftrHv.-d  of  (ioveiiiorTryou,  thiisdeserilK's  llie 
Viiridiis  liiiids  tlion  gnuvinjrlii  tlieeity,  "  [n  tlieetiief  streets  tlieruarp  trees  planted, 
whieii  ill  siiniiiie-  irive  them  a  line  appeiinjiice.  and  during;  the  e-cccHnive  heat  at 
tliat  time,  a  fiord  a  eoolin:;  shade.  I  iMimd  it,  e.Ntreniely  pleuxant  !>,  wiilli  in  tlie 
town,  for  it  seemed  qnil(;  lilie  a  f,'arden.  TIk;  trees  whieh  are  plunn-d  for  this  |)ur- 
poho  are  chii  tly  of  i  wo  Itiuds ;  the  water  lieaeh  is  tlie  most  iiuiiierons.  and  irivo  an 
ai;reeal.>ie  shade  in  snmmer  l>y  its  larire  and  niniierons  leaxes.  The  loen>-t  tree  is 
liliowise  fre(|Uent :  its  ftne  leaves  and  ilio  odorifemus  scent  wliieh  evhnles  fri^n  its 
tlowerf,  make  it  very  proper  for  'leiOL'  plnntrd  in  the  streets,  near  the  house-  anil 
in  the  iinrdens.  There  are  lilvewisetinie  iicis  and  e!m-  in  these  walks,  but  they  are 
not.  hv  r.r.  so  fre<|lient  as  the  otliers.  One  seldom  meets  with  trees  of  lie-  sam.' 
-ort  adjoiniiis  eaeli  otln  r,  Ihey  lieini,'  in  irenenil  plaeed  •■illernalely." 


17(1 


u:tt1':i;.-<  a.\ij  jouiixals 


able.  We  were  now  no  l(iu<,'or  troubled  for  the  want  of  wood, 
for  they  broke  to  pieces  an  old  and  worthless  shlji  in  order  to 
furnish  us  with  fuel,  and  from  this  time  we  received  weekly  two 
eorda  of  fire-wood. 

A  little  while  before  my  confinement  I  had  a  dreadful 
friij^lit.  One  of  our  servants  brought  mo  somethin:.;',  and  I 
noticed  that  his  eyes  rolled,  and  that  he  could  scarcely  speak. 
1  was  terrified,  and  attempted  to  run  out  of  the  room,  but  lie  ran 
ahead  of  me,  fell  down,  slammed  to  the  door  in  Iiis  fall,  and 
innncdiatcly  was  tittackcd  with  an  awful  infirmity.*  As  he  lay 
directly  in  i'ront  of  the  door,  rendering  it  impussiblc  for  me  to 
escape,  1  began  to  call  out  and  shriek.  The  persons  in  the 
house  endeavored  to  conu;  in  to  my  assistance,  but  the  lock  was 
sprung  and  they  were  oldiged  to  break  open  the  door,  Kveii 
then,  the  poor  man  had  to  be  pushed  aside  to  ntake  room ;  and  1  was 
linally  obligc<l  to  leap  over  hiin  to  get  out,  he  in  the  mean  time 
gntisbing  his  teeth  in  a  horrible  manner,  and  beating  himself 
with  his  hands.  iUit  1  had  been  for  such  a  long  time  accus- 
tomed to  sad  and  dreadful  sights,  tliat  this  eircutustance  fortu- 
nately did  m(!  no  injury  in  my  delicate  situation. 

In  the  beginnirig  of  the  month  of  March,  1780,  an  o]duci[uaint- 
ance  of  ours  canto  to  New  York,  the  Hessian  General  Loos,  who 
had  known  me  in  my  girlhood.  "  Why  ! '"  said  he  to  me,  as  he 
looked  at  me  from  head  to  foot,  "  what  has  become  cf  your 
slender  waist,  your  beautiful  complexion,  and  your  fair  white 
hands  !  They  are  gone,  but  in  their  stead  you  have  seen  many 
lands  ;  attd  when  yui  again  return  home  you  will  be  called  upon 
by  this  and  that  one  of  your  acijuaintance  to  relate  your  adven- 
tures, and,  perhaps,  the  very  next  itistant,  those  very  ladies, 
who  iirsl  asked  you,  will  out  of  envy,  declare  your  narrative 
wearisome,  and  while  playing  with  their  fans,  will  say.  '  The 
woman  can  talk  of  nothing  but  .\merica.'"  As  1  knew  iKifori;- 
time,  that  it  was  very  much  bis  custom  to  speak  the  truth. 


*rri'ljal)l>  nij  e|iik'|itii'  lil 


OJ'  Mils.  (,H\h'llM.  IIIKIiKSI-T,. 


1 


i  I 


seemiri<>.y  in  jest,  I  answered  that  I  tlianked  liiin  for  the  cnution, 
and  would  endeavor  to  uuard  iiiyself  against  tlio  weakness  oi'  talk- 
ing constantly  of  this  journey,  into  wliicli  limit  I  might  otlicrwi:;e 
easily  have  fallen.  On  my  :<ide,  however,  I  counseled  him, 
that  Avlien  \nt\\  other  women,  he  should  also  guard  himself 
against  speaking  of  the  jjerishahility  of  their  clKirnis,  as  he  had 
done  in  regard  to  luine,  otlierwise  lie  might  lind  many  who  would 
not  take  it  as  good  naturedly  as  myself. 

On  the  following  day,  which  was  tlie  seventh  of  Marcli.  I  was 
hrouglit  to  btid  with  a  daug])tor.  My  liushand  wished  very  much 
for  a  sou,  but  the  little  one  was  su  pretty  that  we  were  soon 
consoled  for  its  not  being  a  boy,  We  had  intended,  in  case  it 
had  been  a  boy,  to  have  named  it  Amerieus,  which  we  now 
changed  for  the  little  girl  into  America.  The  baptism,  how- 
over,  was  so  hurried,  owing  to  the  fact  that  General  IMiillijis, 
who,  with  the  Hessian  tieneral  Knyphausen,and  Colonel  Wurnd>, 
was  the  only  sponsor,  was  obliged  to  leave  town  on  a  short 
expedition,  that  the  mime  of  America  was  forgotten ;  and  we 
were  obliged  afterward  to  have  it  placed  (Hi  the  parisli  register. 
Tlie  same  day,  my  eldest  daughter  was  seized  with  a  dangerous 
illness,  called  uMlnna  infantile,  and  soint;  days  afterward  my 
third  child  became  also  very  sick  ;  and.,  I.  therefore,  lay  in 
bed  between  both  my  almost  dying  children.  IJut  if  my  heart 
sulfered  deeply,  my  body  had  by  this  time  become  enured  to 
hardship,  and  I  got  along  nicely,  although  I  was  in  the  first  days 
of  my  continenient.  Si.v  weeks  afterward,  my  husband  per- 
suaded nie  to  accompany  him  to  a  dinner  given  by  General 
Tryon.  This  had  been  concerted  betwceu  them  for  a  ])articular 
object;  for  while  I  was  absent  my  husband  liiul  tliecliild  inocu- 
lated by  an  Hnglish  j)hysician,  as  the  small-pox  was  raging 
violently  in  the  city.  He.  therefore,  bad  it  done  without  my 
knowledge  in  order  to  save  me  anxiety,  iind  he  would  j)robably 
liave  succeeded,  had  not  his  taflierly  uneasiness  betrayed  him. 
15nt  he  was  continually  going  every  instant  to  look  at  the  child, 


178 


i.trrTKiis  AM)  .loriiXAis 


and  ill  a  little  while,  siiid,  "  Alas  !  how  pale  she  is,"  or,  "  She  is 
certainly  sick ;"  so  that  1,  womlering  at  all  these  expressions, 
at  last,  said,  that  he  must  most  assuredly  have  a  reason  I'or  I'eel- 
ing  so  uneasy,  and  asked  him  it'  he  had  had  the  child  inoculated? 
Immediately  I  rolled  hack  the  sleeves,  and  there  sure  enou^li 
were  two  pocks  on  each  arm.  I  must  conCess  that  for  a  moment 
T  was  quite  provoked;  still  I  appreciated  the  good  intention 
of  my  hushand.  The  child  was  so  bad  that  we  feared  we 
should  lose  her.  My  p(Hir  husband  was  inconsolable,  accusing 
himself  of  being  the  cause  of  this  misfortune;  and  1  had  enough 
to  do  in  keeping  up  his  spirits.  But  (iod  be  praised  it  came  out 
all  right  in  the  end.  The  experiment,  however,  did  not  termi- 
nate so  Imppily  with  a  nobleman  who  followed  our  example,  for 
he  was  so  unfortunate  as  to  lose  his  child. 

Throughout  the  whole  winter,  tienorals  Phillips,  Tryon  and 
I'atterson  were  our  constant  friends  and  guests,  and  every  week 
we  gave  a  gentleman's  dinner  party.  This  was  all  that  we  could 
afford  to  do,  as  every  thing  was  so  terribly  high  in  the  city.  At 
the  end  of  the  winter  fleneral  Tryon  mailed  for  England,  but 
just  before  his  departure,  he  sent  to  my  house,  unbeknown  to 
nic,  magnilicent  furniture,  tapestry,  carpets,  and  curtains, 
besides  a  set  of  silk  hangings  for  an  entire  room.  Never  shall 
I  forget  the  many  marks  of  friendship  which  I  have  received 
from  almost  every  one  of  this  excellent  nation ;  and  it  will  always 
be  to  me  a  source  of  satisfaction  to  be  able  at  any  time  to  be  of 
use  to  the  English,  as  I  have  learned  by  experience  how  plea- 
sant it  is  to  receive  kindness  from  foreigners. 

About  this  time  our  friendly  relations  began  with  our  excel- 
lent friend  (ieneral  Clinton,  who  was  the  gencral-in-chief  of  the 
English  army  in  the  southern  provinces  of  America.  As  is  the 
case  with  every  Englishman,  it  was  at  first  very  difficult  for  our 
ae((uaiiitaiice  to  ripen  into  intimacy.  His  tirst  call  upon  us  was 
one  of  ceremony,  as  he  came  as  general  in-chief,  attemled  by 
his  entire  staff'.  As  his  general  appearance  and  conversation 
weri'  agreeable,  I  said  to  his   friend,   (ieiicral    I'hiliiiis,   that  I 


f>F  Mf/s.  GKXKhWL   llfKDEsKI.. 


17!) 


rej^rcttcd  that  he  treated  us  witli  so  much  ceremony,  and  that  a 
more  friendly  manner  wouhl  liave  l)etter  aceiu'ded  with  our  i'eel- 
inj^H.  Alterwardti  lie  invited  us  out  to  his  country-seat  to  spend 
the  summer,  an  invitation  which  was  accepted.  His  country 
residence  was  magnificent,  a  most  beautiful  situation,  orchard, 
and  uieadovvs,  and  the  Hudson  river  running  directly  in  front 
of  the  house.  Every  thing  was  placed  at  our  disposal,  including 
I'ruits  oi'  the  most  delicious  flavor;  indeed,  of  this  latter  arti- 
cle we  had  more  than  we  could  eat.  Our  servant-^  feasted  on 
peaches  even  to  satiety,  and  our  horses,  which  roamed  through 
tlie  orcliards,  eagerly  ate  the  fruit  from  the  trees,  disdaining  that 
upon  the  ground,  which  every  evening  we  had  gathered  up  and 
given  to  the  pigs  to  fatten  them.  It  seems  almost  incredible, 
but  nevertheless  it  is  true,  that  with  notliing  but  this  fruit  we 
Hittened  six  pigs,  the  flesh  of  which  was  capital,  only  the  fat 
was  somewhat  soft.  Peach,  apricot,  and  other  iruit  trees,  are 
raised  here,  witliout  espaliers,  au<l  have  trunks  as  thick  as  those 
of  ordinary  t'-ecs. 

Not  far  from  us  were  tlic  Ilcll-gatcs,  which  arc  dangerous 
breakers  for  those  ships  that  pass  through  them  up  the  river, 
We  often  saw  ships  in  danger,  but  only  one  wa.s  wrecked  and 
went  to  peiccs  during  our  stay  at  this  place. 

General  Clinton  came  often  to  visit  us.  but  in  hunter's  dress, 
accompanied  by  only  one  a.id-de-camp.  On  one  of  these  occa- 
sions, he  said  to  us,  ■•  I  i'eel  confident  that  you  look  upon  me 
more  as  a  friend  than  a  stranger,  and  as  I  feel  the  same  toward 
you,  you  shall  always  be  regarded  by  me  as  such.  The  last  time 
he  came  to  see  us.  he  had  with  him  the  unfortunate  —  as  he  after- 
wards became — Maj(n'  Andre,  who,  the  day  afterward,  set  out 
upon  the  fatal  expedition,  in  which  he  was  captured  by  the 
Americans,  and  afterwards  jmng  as  a  spy.  It  was  very  sad  that 
this  preeminently  excellent  young  man  should  have  falleu  a 
victim  to  his  zeal  ami  his  kind  heart,  which  led  him  to  under- 
take suc'i  a  jirecarious  errand  instead  of  leaving  i(  to  older  and 
known  ofliccrs,  to  wlioni  projicrly  the  duty  belonged,  but    whom 


T 


180 


LI-:TTEIIS  AM)  .lor  It  .SALS 


on  tlmt  very  account  (n«  they  would  be  more  exposed  to  (lunger), 
he  wished  to  save. 

We  passed  iimeh  of  our  time  at  this  most  aj^i'eea))le  place  ;  but 
our  contentment  was  broken  in  upon  by  a  malignant  fever, 
that  prevailed  in  New  York,  and  of  which,  in  our  family  alone, 
twenty  fell  ill ;  eight  dangerously.  Among  these  eight  were 
my  husband  and  my  daughter  Gustava.  One  can  imagine  my 
grief  and  apprehension  ;  day  and  night  I  did  nothing  but  divide 
my  nursing  between  my  husband  and  daughter.  The  former 
was  so  ill,  that  we  often  thought  he  would  not  survive  the  day ; 
and  (lustava  had  such  violent  paro.xysms  of  fever,  that  she 
entreated  me,  when  she  was  shivering  with  the  ague,  to  lay  my- 
self upon  her,  at  which  times  she  violently  shook  me  together 
with  her  bed,  although  she  was  oidy  nine  years  old.  It  fre- 
(juently  happened  that  those  sick  of  the  fever  died  in  these  fits 
of  shaking ;  and  every  day  persons  would  tell  me  of  fifty  or  sixty 
fresh  burials,  which  certainly  did  not  tend  to  raise  my  spirits. 
The  hciit  which  the  sick  suftered  was  so  intense  that  their  pulse 
beat  one  hundred  and  thirty-live  times  in  a  minute.  All  our 
servants  were  sick,  and  of  course  I  was  obliged  to  do  every 
thing,  I  was  then  nursing  my  little  America,  and  had  neither 
opportunity  nor  desire  to  lie  down,  except  while  giving  her  the 
breast.  At  such  times  [  laid  down  upon  the  bed  and  fell  asleep. 
At  night  I  was  often  busied  in  making  for  my  patients  a  lemonade 
of  salts  of  wormwood  mixed  with  lemon  juice,  sugar  and  water. 
By  which  means,  as  all  the  sick  in  the  Iiouse  had  them,  I  used 
up  I',  the  space  of  two  weeks,  two  full  boxes  of  lemons,  each  box 
containing  five  hundred. 

One  day,  we  expected  the  physician  from  New  York  with  the 
utniosi  impatience.  My  husband  was  taken  with  a  severe  diar- 
rhea, and  constant  vomiting,  and  became  so  ill  that  our  courage 
completely  gave  way.  lie  slept  continually,  and  when  I  wished 
to  give  him  sago-water,  wliich  I  had  boon  recommended  to  make 
him  drink  much  of,  he  begged  me  inijiloringly  to  allow  lii;n  to 
die  in  peace,  as  he  could  not  lujld  out  much  longer.     At  this 


OF  Mns.  aESh'ltAh   lilKDKsEL. 


isl 


iiKiinoiit  the  pliysiciau  came  in,  and  I  pressed  him  to  tell  me 
candidly  it'  he  thought  there  was  still  any  hope.  "  Yes,  surely," 
said  he.  At  this  confident  an.swer,  our  two  oldest  children 
whom  we  had  not  ohserved  (as,  fcarinj;  that  the  opinion  of  tlie 
doctor  would  he  uiifavorahle,  they  had  hidden  under  the  table  to 
listen),  when  they  suw  the  good  news  upon  my  face,  suddenly 
S|)rung  up,  threw  themselves  at  his  feet  and  ki.s.sed  his  hands. 
Kvery  one  who  witnessed  this  scene  with  me  wasdeejily  moved; 
and  the  doctor,  himself,  who  was  a  man  full  of  feeling,  was 
affected  to  tears.  Before  this,  he  had  visited  us  very  punctu- 
ally, hut  now  he  redoubled  nis  attentions,  and  so  managed  it  as 
to  dine  with  us  every  day  that  he  might  lose  no  time,  as  he  had 
many  patients.  He  recommended  to  me  strongly  a  drink  nuide 
of  sago-powder  and  water.  At  first  he  remained  with  my  hus- 
band three  minutes,  then  five,  and  then  fifteen,  and  finally  a  whole 
half  hour.  1  had  always  a  watch  in  my  liand,  and  I  was  beside 
myself  for  joy  at  the  increased  length  of  his  visits,  a  feeling  in 
which  every  one  that  was  with  me  shared.  The  pastor,  Mylius. 
and  our  trusty  yiiger,  Ilockel,  both  of  whom  remained  well, 
assisted  mc  by  turns  in  watching  at  night.  Of  thirty  persons 
who  composed  our  family,  only  ten  remained  in  good  health. 
The  cook,  cook-maid,  etc.,  were  all  sick,  and  could  work  only  on 
their  alternate  well  days;  and  in  addition  to  which,  the  weather 
was  terribly  hot.  It  is  perfectly  amazing  what  mankind  can 
endure,  and  wliat  I  also  went  through.  But  1  was  well,  and 
blessed  with  a  cheerful  happy  temperament,  which  made  me 
receive  the  snnillest  particle  of  hope  with  heartfelt  joy.  I  cer- 
tainly believe  that  by  degrees  the  health  is  undermined  by 
repeated  sufierings;  still,  1  thankfully  rejoice  that  1  was  able  to 
be  of  use,  and  that  without  my  attentions,  I  might,  perhaps,  have 
lost  the  dear  objects  of  my  affection,  who  now  contribute  so  much 
to  my  happiness.  At  length  all  of  our  household  who  were 
sick  were  restored  to  health,  and  not  one  died,  a  result  that 
abundantly  paid  me  for  all  my  trouble. 

We  remained  the  entire  summer  of  1780,   upon   this  lovely 


■n 


ISl' 


LICITFIIS  AX/)  .KiritXM.S 


cstiiti!.  Two  MisH  Uobiiisoiis  caim!  to  sliare  our  loiielinoss,  and 
enliven  our  little  company.  They  remained  with  iih  a  f'ortnij:,ht 
jirevions  to  unr  ri'tnrn  to  tlic  city,  wlien  the  new.s  of  the  arrival 
of  a  shi|)  I'roni  England  hriiif^in^  over  the  latest  fiiHhiona,  took 
them  hack  aj;ain  to  the  tnwn.  On  our  return  to  the  city,  I 
scarcely  recognized  them  in  their  odd  and  actually  laughable 
garb,  which  a  very  pretty  woman,  just  over  from  England,  had 
imposed  upon  them  and  the  other  Now  York  ladies.  This 
lady  was  with  child  and  did  not  wi.sh  it  to  be  known.  Accord- 
ingly, she  made  them  think  that  in  Kngland  they  wore  bodices 
which  were  parted  in  the  middle,  whereby  the  points  stuck 
upwards,  hoojis  as  large  around  as  those  of  a  hogshead,  and  very 
short  cloaks  tied  up  with  ribbons,  all  of  which  they  believed 
implicitly  and  coi)i(Kl  after.* 

Upon  our  return  to  New  York  we  wore  received  in  the  most 
friciully  manner;  and  our  friends  vied  with  each  other  in  mak- 
ing the  winter  pass  most  pleasantly.  My  husband,  (ieueral 
Phillips,  and  their  aid-de-camps,  were  fimvlly  excimnged  in  the 
autumn  of  1780;  but  the  rest  of  the  troops  captured  at  Sara- 
toga remained  prisoners. 

(ieneral  Clinton,  partly  through  i'riendship  to  my  husband, 
and  partly  out  of  attachment  to  our  present  duke,  wished  to  place 
General  Kiedesel  in  active  service  where  he  could, serve  to 
advantage.  He,  therefore,  by  virtue  of  the  power  which  an 
English  general  has  in  his  own  army,  appointed  him  lieuten- 


*  The  taste  foi-fasliiiiimUlo  frivulily  and  dis-iilay  seems  to  liave1)een  tlio  onlytliiiif,' 
unatl'celed  by  tlie  privalioiis  ol'thal  ^'lixiiny  winter.  Kiigeiie  Lnurence,  in  si)eal<intj 
of  Now  York  city  at  this  time,  in  a  i)ai)er  read  helbre  the  N<'w  York  lIi>tori(al  So- 
ciety. January  (llli,  IS.")",  says  :  •■  Meanwliih!  in  the  midst  of  all  this  suirerhii;  and 
want,  the  elty  streets  were  filled  with  the  fashions  and  the  luxtirles  of  tiiirojje.  The 
ladies  crowded  William  street,  and  the  merchants  spread  out  the  most  costly 
wares.  French  silks  captnred  in  some  nnlncky  vessels  sold  readily  at  exlravaj,'ant 
rates.  Lnteslriii^'s  and  |ii)])lins.  hrocades  and  the  best  hroad-elolli  of  Kii;,'land,  were 
shown  on  thecunnlers  of  William  si  reel  and  Wall  i  niid  il  is  a  ciirii  >ns  cir('Uinslanc<', 
that  llin>iij;h  all  the  war.  William  Prince,  of  I'lushin:;.  conliniied  his  adverlisemeni 
of  fruit  an<l  Mowers,  of  mairnolias  and  apricots,  an<l  of  llii^  linest  i,'rafts  and  the 
rarest  seedn.'" 


1 


OF  Mils.  (if:M-:i!M.  i!ii\i>h:si:i,. 


is:? 


iintf^ciicml,  Jind  jiiive  liiiii  tlio  corroHixiiidiiij,'  KiiyliHb  iillow- 
iiiicc;  wliii'li,  (III  iiciMiunt  of  llie  dournoHs  of  every  tiling  ( liy 
reiiHOii  of  which  wc  liiid  hiid  dirticulty  in  inakinj;  Ixith  ends 
moot),  proved  very  iiceeptiihlo  to  us.  At  the  smiiio  time  lie  j;iivo 
liiiii  ii  coiiiiimiid  at  Limt:'  Ishiiid.  whieli  is'iiiiid  lies  ojiiioHite  New 
York.  boin<^  Hopfiraled  IVoiii  it  liy  only  a  ii.'irniw  ehaiiiiel  called 
the  Kiust  river.  1  wiiw  not  iihle  diirinj;'  the  winter  to  bo  with 
him,  as  the  house,  in  which  he  had  his  (|uarters,  was  not  habit- 
able lor  mc,  as  it  was  possible  to  heat  only  a  lew  rooms  in  it. 
]\Iy  husband,  accordingly,  went  back  and  forth,  whieli  he  easily 
did  all  winter,  as  everything  was  ((uiet.  The  autumn  before  he 
was  appointed  to  this  post,  he  had  a  severe  relapse  of  his  old 
complaint,  caused  i)robably  by  a  cold  which  he  caught  by4^oing 
"in  sea-bathing  while  heated,  lie  suddenly  became  perfectly 
stiiFund  could  not  sjjcak  ;  and  had  it  not  been  for  friend  Colo- 
nel "Wurmb,  who,  fortunately,  was  in  his  room,  it  miglit,  perhaps, 
have  been  all  over  with  him.  The  doctor  immediately  opened 
a  vein  and  rubbed  him  strongly,  and  (iod  once  more  spared  him 
to  me;  but  his  cramps,  oppressions,  headaches,  and  drowsiness 
increased.  All  the  physicians  gave  it  as  their  opinion  that  the 
climate  thoroughly  disagreed  with  him,  and  that  he  never  would 
be  any  better  as  long  as  he  remained  in  the  southern  provinces 
of  North  America.  Still  there  was  nothing  else  for  us  to  do. 
My  husband  could  not  think  of  receiving  permission  to  leave, 
and  was,  therefore,  obliged  to  remain  at  his  post. 

Tn  the  spring  of  1781,  I  also  .settled  down  on  Long  Island, 
where  we,  although  pretty  lonesome,  might  have  lived  perfectly 
contented  if  we  only  could  have  been  without  solicitude:  but 
as  the  river  was  not  frozen  over,  the  Americans  constantly 
attempted  surprises  in  order  to  take  prisoners.  Major  31ay- 
baum  was  drawn  out  of  his  bed;  and  we  knew  that  they  aimed 
to  do  the  same  thing  with  my  husband.  Our  house  was  situ- 
ated close  to  the  shore  and  was  perfectly  isolated,  so  that  il'  they 
had  overcome  the  watch,  they  could  easily  have  carried  him 
away.      Every    one    was    thereibre    constantly    on    the    watch. 


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1S4 


LETTKIts    t\n  .HHIIX.M.S 


Tliroiiglioiit  t.it>  entire  niglit,  at  the  slightest  noise,  he  would 
wake  up  and  place  hiniselfin  readiuesfs  lor  an  attack  ;  and  thus 
he  Itist  considerable  sleep.  I  also  became  so  accustomed  to 
watching,  that  day  light  would  often  surprise  me,  when  I  would 
lie  down  and  catcli  a  few  hours  sleep ;  for  it  was  only  when  my 
liusband  believed  that  I  was  wide  awake  and  on  guard,  that  he 
would  allow  himself  to  sleep  —  so  terrible  was  to  him  the 
thought  that  ho  might  again  be  taken  prisoner.  We  had  from 
our  house  a  magniiicent  prospect.  Kvery  evening  I  saw  from 
my  window  the  city  of  New  York  entirely  lighted  up,  and,  as 
the  city  is  built  close  to  the  shore,  I  saw  its  reflection  in  the 
water.  We  heard  also  the  beating  of  the  drums,  and,  if  every 
thing,  was  particularly  still,  even  the  calls  of  tiie  sentinels.  We 
had  our  own  boat  and  could  cross  over  in  it  to  New  York  in  a' 
quarter  of  an  hour. 

One  day  I  .><aw  out  of  a  window  of  my  room,  a  fleet  of  thirty- 
five  ships  approaching  under  full  sail,  and  shortly  afterward, 
from  another  window,  I  perceived  them  all  lying  at  anchor 
between  us  and  the  citj'.  My  husband  had  many  English  under 
his  command,  and  among  others  the  light  dragoons.  Although 
the  Knglish  troops  arc  proud,  and,  as  it  is  said,  difficult  to 
manage,  yet  they  loved  my  husband,  and  were  perfectly  contented 
under  his  command.  On  one  occa.siou,  when  the  Knglish  offi- 
cers were  dining  with  us,  my  husband  said  to  them  that  he 
W(juid  accompany  them  back  to  their  camp ;  whereupon  they 
very  politely  begged  me  al.so  to  go  with  the  party.  1,  therefore, 
seated  myself  in  a  carriage,  and  reached  the  camp  in  advance  of 
them.  But  I  believi  that  they  had  sent  word  of  my  arrival 
ahead  of  me,  for  an  officer  came  up,  and,  to  my  great  |)erple.\ity. 
re(|uested  me  to  get  out  of  the  carriage  and  walk  with  him  down 
the  line.  Upon  my  complying  with  his  re((uest.  1  was  greeted 
with  all  military  honors,  even  to  the  beating  of  drums,  which  still 
more  increased  my  confusion.  I  remarked  to  the  officer  that 
this  was  not  suitable  to  me,  and  that  we  (Jenuan  women  were 
not  accustomed  tosuch  distinctions.    But  he  atoncc  very  politely 


OF  Mils.  UF.SKUM  UIF.hKsKt.. 


1S5 


miHWcred  that  tlioir  whole  corps  could  not  sufficiciitly  lioiKirthc 
wile  of  a  geiierul  who,  as  their  coiiimaiidin|^  olficcr,  ticiited  them 
with  so  much  kindness ;  and  more  than  all  this,  they  would 
never  forget  what  I  had  done  for  their  comrades  at  Saratoga. 
Although  not  unmindful  of  all  this,  which  wits  very  flattering  and 
agrceahle,  I  welcomed  the  first  favorable  moment  to  get  away. 

J)uring  our  sojourn  in  this  place,  I  often  saw  people  buried 
up  to  their  necks  iu  the  earth;  for  in  this  manner  they  cure 
the  scurvy. 

We  had  a  hospital  in  this  place,  in  which  wore  many  wounded 
and  invalid  sailors.  These  good  people  replied  to  those  who 
bewailed  their  fate  :  "  We  have  fought  for  our  king,  and  arc 
satisfied,  and  when  we  are  once  in  Chelsea,*  we  shall  be  suffici- 
ently rewarded."  This  is  an  excellent  hospital  for  seamen, 
near  London,  where  they  are  kept,  clothed,  and  nursed  in  the 
best  manner. 

About  this  time,  General  Phillips  was  sent  off  on  an  expedition 
to  Carolina.  The  parting  on  both  sides  was  painful.  We  never 
again  beheld  this  excellent  friend,  for  he  died  there  of  an  inflam- 
matory fever,  which  he  brought  upon  him  by  exposure.  We 
have  always  mourned  his  loss,  lie  was  a  very  brave  man,  and  a 
thorough  friend  to  his  friends. 

As  the  Iiealth  of  my  husband  did  not  get  any  better,  and 
his  presence,  moreover,  was  necessary  to  that  portion  of  his 
corps  which  had  remained  behind  in  Canada,  (leneral  Clinton 
was  finally  induced  to  send  him  thither,  although  he  loved 
him  so  much  that  he  parted  I'rom  him  with  regret.  This  friend- 
ship continued  between  them  —  although  separated — until  the 
death  of  the  former  general. 

As  the  time  of  our  departure  had  been  continually  very  uncer- 
tain, I  had  not  wished  to  wean  my  little  daughter  America,  and 
had  accordingly  nursed  her  the  whole  of  the  i'ourteeii  months. 
Finally,  however,  she  became  so  large  that  I  feared  my  milk  would 


*  I.  0.,  tJifcnwich  Hospital. 


24 


4>  »•  « 


ISO 


l.h:TTh:i!f<  A\f>  .llHI!\M.S 


not  liuld  out,  and  i  tlieict'orc  weani'dhor  the  bo^innintr  of  May. 
Hut  by  tliis  t'ourso  I  iininediatfly  broujj;ht  upon  inyscU"  a  mis- 
fortune which  occasioned  nic  even  more  vexation;  namely,  an 
eruption  of  tlie  skin  to  wliich  most  of  the  pcoj)le  in  this  warm 
climate  are  subject.  Little  pimples  come  out  over  the  whole 
limb,  which  itches  so  tliat  one  has  no  peace  whatever.  They 
come  with  the  hot  and  disappear  with  tlic  cold  weather:  other- 
wise the  person  is  jjcrfeetly  well. 

Our  departure  was  determined  upon  for  the  month  of  July. 
I  had  for  so  lon^'  a  time  received  my  orders  for  wood,  that 
durinj;  my  sojourn  upon  1-ong  Island,  T  had  saved  thirty  cords  j 
and  I  now  wished  to  give  them  back  to  my  excellent  major  of 
the  commis.siviat,  who  had  helped  me  so  faithfully.  lUit  he 
would  not  receive  it,  but  begged  me  me  cither  to  sell  it,  or  share 
it  with  the  poor.  "  I  know  you,"  said  the  honest  man,  ''y(Ui 
will  take  more  satisfaction  in  alleviating  distress."  This  was 
the  view  of  the  case  that  my  husband  and  myself  both  took. 
We,  therefore,  gave  twenty  cords  to  a  very  worthy  family  ol' 
royalists,  who  had  already  lost  much  of  their  property  and 
were  al'terwards  obliged  to  emigrate,  and  divided  the  remaining 
ten  cords  among  other  poor  families. 

Before  going  away,  we  desired  to  deliver  up  our  furniture, 
but  they  did  not  wish  to  receive  it,  saying  that  it  belonged  to 
us,  and  that  we  had  better  take  it  with  us  to  Canada,  where  we 
would  certainly  need  it.  We,  however,  did  not  wish  to  abuse  so 
much  kindne.xs,  and  accordingly  sent  it  back  into  the  lloyal 
magazine,  except  one  Knglish  bedstead  which  we  kept  by  way  of 
remembrance.  Nevertheless,  I  must  frankly  coni'ess  that  1  after- 
ward somewhat  repented  of  my  decision,  j)artly  because  we  found 
nothing  whatever  in  Canada,  and  partly  because  this  beautifully 
furnished  Royal  magazine  was  subse(|ueutly  plundered  and 
burned  by  the  Americans.  At  last  we  set  out,  or  rather  went, 
on  board  the  <hip,*  for  we  remained  at  anchor  within  about  an 


V 


*  Tlu'  iiiiMU'  (if  ilic  ship  was  the  l.illk'  Si'iil. 


Oh'  i/A's-.  (,h:\h:ii.ii,  i!ih:i>K-<i\i..  ijjy 

liimr's  sail  of  Now  York,  I'or  iiiin-e  than  a  week,     (iuiicral  Cliu- 
tdii,  desiriiiii:  our  Hufe  convoy,  luul  solectod  an  ai;oiit  (ship's  aL'crit ) 
whom  he  suiiposed  to  bo  an  active  and  skilled  man,  and  desired 
him  to  seek  out  from  amonjr  those  ships  that  were  to  sail,  one 
that  should  bo  comfortable  and  at  the  same  time  u  good  sailer  — 
om;  that  c(mld  run  away  from  danger  and  not  be  captured  on  the 
way.      IJiit  this  furnishes  fresh  evidence  bow  the  best  of  us  are 
deceived  ;  for  this  ajrent  was  a  corrupt,  coarse  and  ignorant  man, 
who  cither,    through   laziness,  bad   not   taken   the    trouble   to 
examine  the  sliip,  or,  as  often  happens,  had  been  bribed  by  the 
.ship's  captain.     But  enough  :  we  were  placed  on  board  one  of 
the  smallest  and  most  miserable  sliips  of  the  whole  fleet,  upon 
whiob,  we  were  often  in  such  danger  from  falling  behind,  tliat 
the  captain  of  the  second  man-of-war,  appointed  to  convoy  us, 
was  obliged  to  tow  us,  that  is.  to  draw  us  along  by  a  rope,     l-'or 
this  purpose,  one  end  of  a  great  cable  was  attached  to  the  ttjwed 
ship,  and  the  other  was  made  fast  to  the  man-of-war  wliicli  drew 
us  along.     This,  liowcver,  was  very  unpleasant,  and  often,  indeed, 
dangerous ;  for  if  there  was  a  calm,  one  ship  would  strike  against 
the  otlier,  and  if  we  had  been  so  unlucky  as  to  meet  a  ship  of 
tlie  enen»y,  wc  would  have  been  obliged  to  receive  the  shock  of 
battle.     Besides,  our  .ship  had  too  lew  sailors,  which  would  have 
been  the  cause  of  additional  danger  if  we  bad  been  overtaken  by 
a  hurricane;  in  which  case  wt;  should  probably  have  been  upset,  as 
on  account  of  the  small  number  of  men,  we  could  not  have  taken 
in  the  sails  quickly  enougli,  esj)ecially  a.s  the  ship  was  leaky  and 
all  the  men  would  have  had  to  be  jilaced  at  the  pumps,     And  to 
crown  all,  our  ship  was  badly  loaded,  and  lay  so  much  upon  one 
side,  that  we  were  obliged,  while  on  the   pa.ssage,  to  till  empty 
casks  with  sea-water  in  order   to  give  the  slii[)  the   nece.s.sary 
equilibrium,  an  emergency  wliich  ought  always  to  be  guarded 
against.      In   .-iiMition   to  all   this,  the  conq)any  of  the  above 
mentioned  agent,  was  in   thi!   highest  degree   unjilcasant.     We 
were  obliged  to  defray   his  expenses,  and  have  him   near  us, 
where  he  made  himsiill'  exceedingly  troublesome  l»y   his  grum- 


188 


LhrriEus  Asn  .nuitsM.s 


iil 


bling  and  whining'  jawiiH  by  wliU-li  he  wiikencd  all  the  iiiun  on 
the  whip,  and  even  ournelveH,  althouj^h  we  were  in  another  room. 
JuHt  as  we  were  on  the  eve  of  embarking,  we  met  with  still 
another  great  vexation.  Our  lUithrnl  negroes,  a  man,  his  wife 
and  a  young  kinswoman  of  theirs,  were  reelaimcd  by  their  first 
owner  (from  whom  they  had  been  taken  on  the  ground  that  he 
was  a  rebel),  under  the  pretense  that  he  had  again  become  a 
royalist ;  and  he  brought  an  order,  that  they  should  be  delivered 
up  to  him,  actually  at  the  very  moment  in  which  the  signal  had 
been  given  for  our  departure.  As  they  had  served  us  faithfully, 
and  the  man  was  a  bad  master  who  treated  them  shockingly, 
the  shrieks  and  lamentations  of  these  poorpeoi)le  were  very  great. 
The  young  maiden  (Phillis  by  name),  fainted,  and  when  she  again 
came  to  herself,  wo\iId  hear  nothing  whatever  about  leaving  us. 
She  threw  herself  at  my  feet  and  embraced  them  with  cla.'<pcd 
hands  so  strongly,  that  they  were  obliged  to  tear  her  away  by 
force.  My  husband  offered  her  master  money  for  h.;r ;  but  when 
the  latter  observed  that  we  wished  so  much  to  kcctt  her,  he  de- 
manded for  this  girl  thirty  guineas,  a  ,«um  which  my  iiusband  did 
not  wish  to  give.  Had  it  not  been  at  the  very  moment  of  our 
dei)arture,  I  believe  that  we  would  have  kept  her  notwithsta»id- 
ing.  We  made  them  a  presentof  their  clothing,  and  also  the  mat- 
tresses, which,  in  view  of  the  voyage,  we  h.ul  had  made  for  them. 
This  very  course,  however,  aff'ected  them  still  more,  and  Phillis 
cried  out,  "  Tf  I  do  not  die,  1  will  come  again  to  you,  even  to  the 
end  of  the  world."  This  good  maiden,  also,  afterward  actually 
begged  two  or  three  persons  to  take  her  with  them  and  bring 
her  to  me,  adding  at  the  same  time,  "  My  good  lady  will  be  very 
glad  to  pay  my  passage."  She  was  perfectly  right,  but  as  none 
of  these  persons  were  confident  in  the  matter,  they  were  not 
willing  to  take  charge  of  her.  My  hu.sband  had  the  money  for 
this  one  purchase,  but  her  greedy  master,  in  order  to  compel  us 
to  buy  them  all  three,  refused  to  sell  her  separately  ;  and  as  this 
would  have  been  too  mtich  for  our  purse,  we  were  obliged  to 
relin((uish  the  (h-sign.     We  afterwards,  however,  repented  that 


OF  Mils.  (iKXKIlAL  UIKDKNKL. 


1H9 


we  did  not  iiiake   tho  satrifice,   iiH  we  i'ouiid  that  the  female 
doincsticH  in  Canada  were  too  siniplo  and  too  clumsy. 

The  very  first  day  of  our  voyaj,'o  my  eruption  entirely  disap- 
peared, which  rejoiced  me  cxceediufrly.  This  distemper,  how- 
ever,  had  ratlier  an  evil  influence  on  my  health  tlie  rest  of  my 
life,  for  three  days  afterward  I  was  taken  with  such  severe  pains 
in  my  head  and  teeth,  that  T  could  neither  eat  nor  sleep  —  and 
I  had  to  endure  this  state  of  things  day  and  night.  The  sharp- 
ness of  tlie  pain  took  hold  of  my  very  vitals;  and  my  feet  were 
so  cold  that  they  could  not  be  warmed  even  with  liot  water. 
They  gave  me  opium,  which,  it  is  true,  stupified  mc  somewhat, 
but  gave  me  no  sleep,  as  my  pains  were  too  violent ;  and  I 
therefore  suffered  in  this  way  during  tlie  whole  voyage. 

We  had  all  kinds  of  mishaps  on  our  passage.  Among  other 
things,  a  ship,  during  a  calm,  once  came  too  near  us  and  gave 
us  a  tremendous  tlimnp,  and  we  were  obliged  to  push  it  away 
with  poles.  At  another  time,  also,  a  ship,  with  its  stern,  tore 
away  our  little  necessary,  and  it  was  very  fortunate  that  no  one 
was  in  it  at  the  time. 

One  day,  while  we  were  enveloped  by  a  thick  mist,  we  thought 
we  saw  land.  Most  fortunately,  however,  at  the  same  instant 
the  mist,  owing  to  a  gust  of  wind,  suddenly  drew  up  like  a  cur- 
tain ;  and  then  the  captain  noticed  with  terror  that  we  were  at 
a  place  called  Dusky-bay  and  close  to  a  well  known  and  dan- 
gerous rock,  which,  on  account  of  its  shape,  is  called  the  "  old 
woman,"  and  actually  looks  like  one  sitting  there  with  bent  back 
and  bowed  head.  lie  immediately  cried  out  to  the  captain  of 
the  man-of-war  tiiat  had  us  in  tow,  who,  making  this  voyage  for 
the  first  time,  did  not  know  of  tliis  danger;  and  at  the  same 
moment  a  favorable  wind  I'ortunately  arose,  which  we  used  to 
such  good  advantage  that  in  less  than  an  hour  we  had  left  this  bay, 
which  by  the  way  is  full  of  rocks,  and  on  which  ships  are  often 
wrecked.  In  the  course  of  this  voyage,  wo  t("niched  at  Nova 
Scotia,  where  we  landed  for  a  short  time.  We  were  welcomed 
at  this  place  in  the  most  IViendly  manner.     The  governor  and 


i 


190 


I.KTrt:ilS   AMI  .liillt.SM.S 


his  wife  (both  aiiiiiiliKi  jii'oplo)  bejrj^ed  us  at  oiicf  to  diiu'  with 
tliciii.  Wd  acc'i'|itt'(l  this  invitation,  and  IkuiuI  asst'iiihlL'd  at 
tlieir  house,  a  vory  aj^rooahlo  company,  consist intr  of  seven  or 
eif^ht  families,  who  were  eontinuaily  exchanj^inj^  visits  one  with 
another.  The  next  day,  they  sliowed  us,  not  oidy  the  city 
itself,  hut  the  country  in  the  immediate  vicinity,  with  whicli 
we  were  exceediniily  jileased.  One  can  live  in  tliis  jilace  very 
cheaply.  Sea-lish.  also,  are  found  here  remarkably  L'ood.  It 
was  remarked  upon  as  a  curious  circunistancc,  that  while,  before 
the  revolution,  lobsters  or  larj^e  craw-tish  had  never  been  seen 
in  this  vicinity  ;  yet  no  sooner  had  that  struirirle  commenced, 
tlian  numbers  ol' them  left  the  continent  of  North  America  and 
came  to  New  Scotland.  This  j;ave  rise  to  a  standinj;  joke  among 
the  people  of  this  jilacc,  that  the  lobsters  were  good  royalists, 
and  accordingly  wore  the  I'jiglish  (red)  uniform.*  During  our 
stay  in  New  Scotland,  I  suU'ered  .so  terribly  with  the  tooth-ache, 
that  I  resolved  to  have  the  troublesome  tooth  extracted  In  order 
however,  to  spare  my  Imsband  and  children  all  care  and  anxiety, 
1  got  up  at  tivc  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  sent  for  our  cliirur- 
geon,  who  was  considered  very  skillful  in  drawing  teeth.  We 
went  into  a  remote  room,  where  he  made  me  sit  down  on  tlic 
earthen  floor,  and  with  a  coarse,  dirty  instrument,  gave  me  such 
a  jerk  that  I  certainly  thought  he  had  done  the  business,  and 
asked  him  for  my  tooth.  "Only  have  patience  a  moment 
longer,"  said  he.  as  he  made  nic  again  sit  down,  giving,  at  the 
same  time,  another  tug  at  the  tooth.  Now,  thought  I,  I  liavc 
surely  got  rid  of  it ;  but  by  no  manner  of  means,  f<jr  he  had,  oil 
the  contrary,  .seized  hold  of,  and  loosened  a  healthy  tooth,  with- 
out, however,  pulling  it  entirely  out.  I  was  exceedingly  angry 
at  this  bungling  :  and,  although  he  ottered  to  pull  this  and  the 
decayed  one,  I  coidd  not.  and  would  not  again  trust  myself  to 
him.      I  liave  had  good   reason  to  rcjient  this  experiment;  for 


*  Tliis  illiistriilioii  is  nol  ii  Impipy  (inc.  since  liny  do  niil  wear  ttiis  uiiilorni  iinlil 
lln  y  iiic  iHclty  hc||  ,i»/<c./ 


or  Mi!s.  (,I:m:i;.\i.  iiirnKsh:!.,  jgj 

tliis  liiOMMietl  tooth  was  so  piossed  upon  one  side,  that  Cor  more 
than  two  years  afterward  it  prevented  nie  from  shutting;  my 
teeth  toM;ether;  while,  in  addition,  this  experience  made  me 
swell  a  i,.ward,  that  I  have  never  heeii  ahle  to  hrinj:  myself  to 
submit  to  a  similar  operatifui. 

During  the  remainder  of  our  voyage,  we  had  a  few   storms, 
and  just  as  we  entered  the  river  St.  Lawrenee,  we  met  witli  tlic 
disagreeable  mishai)  of  losing  two  anehors.     We  ancliored  in 
this  river  every  evening  on  account  of  the  ebbing  of  the  tide. 
Unfortunately  an  anchor  was  dropped  upon  a  reef,  which  on 
account  of  the  continual  motion  of  the  ship  by  the  wind,  parted 
from  the  cable.     They  then  threw  out  a  second  anchor,  which 
met  with  the  same  fate.     We  had  now  only  one  small  anchor 
left.     If  we  had  lost  that  we  should  liavc  been  at  the  sport  of 
the  wind,  and  would  have  had  to  pass  an  exceedingly  wretched 
night.     At  the  sumo  time,  also,  our  provisions  failed  us,  a  boat 
that  we  liad  .sent  ashore  liaving  brought  back  ouly^  some  iowls 
and  eggs.      All  tlie.>^e  ronlfitrmjis  made  my  husband    resolve 
that  we  should   not  remain  another   night  on  board  the  ship. 
Accordingly,  when  the  ship  again  came  to  anchor  the  same  eve- 
ning, lie  ordered  the  long-boat  to  be  let  down,  and  we,  namely, 
my  husband  and  myself,  our  children,  both  the  aid.s-de-camp,  my 
maidservants  and  two  attendants,  .seated  our.selves  in  it  and  were 
carried  to  the  land.     We  chanced  upon  a  pretty  cottage  occupied 
by  a  pea.smt,  where  we  were  received  in  a  very  friendly  manner. 
The  captain  of  the  ship  brought  us   hither,  together  with  our 
jiilots.     Some  of  the.^^e  pilots  come  on  board,  immediately  upon 
the  ships  entering  any  distance  within  the  St.  Lawrence.     These 
people  are  well  paid,  receiving  often  twenty  guineas.     As  the 
ships  are  all  insured,  every  sea  captain  is  bound  at  his  peril  to 
take  one.     On  the  contrary,  however,  every  captain  is  released 
from  all  responsibility,  the  moment  the  pilot  is  on  board,  who 
then  takes  the  entire  charge,  and  is  answerable  with  his  head 
ftu'  any  danger. 

My  husband,  with  one  of  his  aids-de-camp,  went  on,  the  same 


1!I2 


LK'n'Klts  AM)  JOVIISAI.S 


cveniiif^,  t<>  Qiiohcc,  iinil  I  followt'd  liiiii  tho  next  day,  but  did 
iio(  iinive  there  until  tliri'o  djiys  af'torwnrd.  The  country  through 
wliicli  I  pa^xi'd,  wa.H  exceedingly  picturesque.  Every  inhabit- 
ant haw  a  good  houMc,  which  tiiey  take  great  |min8  to  cleanse 
thoroughly  once  a  year.  This  causes  them  to  have  u  very  neat 
look,  and  gi-es  them,  also,  n  glistening  appearance  in  the  dis- 
tance.* As  their  sons,  and  also  their  sons-in-law,  as  soon  as  mar- 
ried, build  close  to  their  parents,  very  pretty  settlements  soon 
spring  up  around  them,  on  which  account  tliese  people  call  them- 
selves huhitiim  (settlers),  and  not  peasants.  The.se  dwellings, 
every  one  oC  wliich  has  attached  to  it  a  stable,  orchard  and 
pasturage,  lie  along  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  jiresent  a  splendid 
appearance,  especially  to  those  who  sail  up  and  down  the  river. 
To  every  house,  also,  an  ice  cellar  is  attached,  whicli  is  made 
with  very  little  trouble.  A  hole,  for  instance,  is  dug  in  the  earth. 
This  is  then  filled,  first  with  ice  and  then  with  water,  which, 
in  congealing,  fills  up  all  the  interstices,  and  makes  the  top  as 
smooth  as  the  surface  of  a  mirror.  Over  this  the  inhabitants 
lay  a  very  clean  board,  and  jjlace  upon  it  various  articles  of  food, 
which  are  thus  kept  with  the  greatest  cleanliness.  They  take 
special  pains  to  keep  out  of  the  ice-house  any  straw  or  hay, 
which  they  say  causes  the  ice  to  melt  more  quickly.  These  ice 
houses  are  indispensable,  particularly  as  each  one  kills  his  own 
cattle,  nor  would  they  be  able  otherwise  to  keep  the  meat  fresh  in 
summer  when  the  heat  is  very  great.  As  a  general  thing,  these 
ice-cellars  arc  made  under  their  barns. 

These  people,  also,  keep  in  summer  much  cattle,  whidi  they 
kill  at  the  beginning  of  winter,  and  bring  into  the  city  for  sale. 
S<mie  of  the  animals  that  they  keep,  for  their  own  support  — 
such  as  beeves,  sheep  and  swine  —  they  drive  to  the  forest  in 
the  morning,  and  only  in  the  evening  give  them  provender  in 


♦When  Mrs.  RicdcHcl  snys,  "  clrniinc  them  every  yciir,"  hIic  probably  iiiciint, 
"  itliiliirush,"  lbi)u;;h  Aw  (Idck  not  lur  Ihnt  word.  One  wlio  bii«  fvcr  ]ia!<HtMl  (h)\vii 
the  SI.  Lawri'iKo,  will  retail  the  tihiniii^  aiipeuruiiee  of  the  Cuiiadluii  collages,  the 
efleet  of  the  w  liitewusU. 


the  Htablc.  They  liavt-,  nlsn,  in  fliis  part  dl'  the  counfry,  a  liltli' 
fish  called  Hiiiall  cud,*  wiiicli  are  (•au;.dif  under  tlic  ico.  Knr 
tlii.s  j)iir|Mis('  lari;!'  Imh's  are  niadi;  in  tlii'  ice  at  intervals  ul"  six 
ti>  ei^ht  hundrt'd  t'ei't.  in  these  (ii(eninj;s  ihey  jilaee  nets 
which  are  made  last  to  jrreat  jiolew  by  streiij;  cords.  In  this 
way  they  catch  sonietiiues  five  or  six  sledj^'cs  lull.  The  fish  are 
then  thmwii  into  the  ice-cellars,  where  they  (Veeze  instantly,  and 
they  remain  in  thi.s  cimditioii  until  they  are  needed.  'I'heu 
they  are  bmuylit  forth,  thawed  out,  jilaced  immediately  in  the 
kettle,  and  eaten.  These  <i.sh,  esiieeially  when  tried  in  buttctr, 
taste  very  nicely. 

The  dwellings  are  exceedingly  coml'ortahle ;  and  in  them  one 
finds  remarkably  good  and  clean  beds.  All  the  heads  ol"  the 
households  have  curtained  beds;  and.  a.s  the  sitting-roonis  are 
very  large,  they  have  their  beds  stand  in  them.  They  have, 
moreover,  gr(Nit  ovens,  in  which  they  cook.  Their  .soups  are 
very  substantial,  and  consist,  lor  the  most  part,  of  bacon,  fresh 
meat  and  vegetables,  which  are  cooked  all  together  in  a  pot,  and 
served  out  at  the  same  time  with  the  entremets.  The  Cana- 
dians prepare  a  kind  of  sugar  from  the  maple-tree  which  lor  this 
reason,  is  called  the  sugar-maj)le.  They  go  in  the  .spring  of  the 
year  into  the  forest,  armed  with  kettles  and  puts,  in  which  the 
sap  is  gathered  from  incisions  made  in  the  trees.  It  is  then 
boiled  and  that  which  is  uppermost,  and  on  tlnit  account  the 
best,  they  keep  especially  fur  their  own  u.sc.  1'his  maple-sugar 
has  only  one  fault,  that  it  is  too  brown;  otherwise  it  is  right 
good,  especially  for  diseases  of  the  Itreast. 

The  natives  are  hospitable  and  jovial,  singing  and  smoking 
the  whole  day  lung.  The  women  frci|uently  have  goitrts. 
Otherwise,  however,  the  people  are  healthy  and  live  to  be  <|uite 
old.  Indeed,  it  is  not  unfrequent  to  meet  witli  very  aged 
persons  living  with  their  great  grandchildren,  who  take  the 
greatest  care  of  them. 


♦  Pr()l)iil)ly  Toiii-coil. 

26 


t!M 


IhTTI-ltx     Wn  .11)1  ItSM.S 


Wf  iiniviil  ill  (^iifl)cc  till'  niiddlc  nl'  Sr|itfiiilii'r,  17^1,  iillor 
n  joiirncy  (ifciulit  wifks,  and  wi  re  wt'lcmiii'd  in  a  very  I'liciidly 
iiiaiinci'.  My  liii.Hliand  >nw\\  L^aiiicd  (lie  alK'ctiiin  ol'tlie  Kn^lisli 
Liciitonaiit  (ieiuM.il  llaldiinaiid,  (wlio  wan  tlic  pivurnor  ot'  tlio 
province  and  tiic  cDinniaiidoi'-iii-eliift'  nl'  tliu  liiKips  in  Canada) 
altliiiiiu:))  he  had  lici'ii  ri'iirt'scntcd  as  a  man  witli  wlnnn  it  was 
dirticiiit  til  ;;t't  alimj;,  as  iinlindy  cuiild  over  jdcasc  liiin.  I  had 
thi'  satisrai'tiiiii  not  only  ul'  it'ci'ivin;.^  kindni'ss  IVoni  liini,  luit  <d' 
winning  his  rrieiidshi]i,  whi(di  I  also  kept  aH  long  uh  hu  lived."' 
I'eiiple  endeavored  In  insjiire  us  with  distrust  of  him;  but  we 
would  hear  nothing  against  him.  On  the  contrary,  we  behaved 
toward  him  with  great  ojien-heartiness  —  a  lino  of  condiipt 
whiidi  he  was  nut  slow  to  aeknowledge  with  thank.s,  es|ieeitilly 
as  he  was  very  little  aecustomed  to  such  treatment  in  this  jdaee. 
(ireat  ehanges  were  now  made  in  the  governor's  house,  which 
up  to  this  time  had  re.-<embh'd  a  barraek.  lie  had  it  now  lur- 
nislied  and  arranged  after  the  Knglish  fa.>^hiou  ;  and,  although 
he  had  only  been  hero  five  years,  yet  his  gardens  were  already 
full  (d"  elioiee  fruits  and  foreign  plants,  wliieh  one  would 
scarcely  have  believed  cimld  be  made  to  grow  in  this  climate. 
lie  had,  however,  taken  advantage  of  an  excellent  southern 
exjiosure.  The  house  was  situated  mi  a  height,  almost  on  the 
very  top.  We  remained  four  weeks  in  Quebec,  during  which 
time,  (leiieral  llaldiinaiid  went  with  my  husband  to  Sorell,  and 
pointed  out  tn  him  where  he  was  to  be  stationed  in  that  place. 
While  there  he  said  to  him,  with  great  frieiidliiie.«s,  that  he  felt 
badly  at  our  having  to  reside  here  in  such  miserable  lodgings, 
but  as  this  was  a  jiost  of  considerable  importance  be  knew  id' no 
one  so  capable  id'  filling  it  as  himself.     As  he  was  unable  to 


*  rnpi't'ti  diary,  Hpi'iikiii};  nl'  llii^*  i:!''"'"'"!  "iiyi' :  "  lli^  I'Xii'llciuy.  (loncnil 
lliililinmnil,  i^"  not  ii  riiciiil  of  ^.'rcal  ri)riniilitii'H.  tml  Iniiil  of  ii  pind  iliniirr.  anil 
^alir'lil•ll  wlini  111'  I'aii  iiiiiclly  Hiiinkr  iii^  pipi' in  UU  ni'al  IM-Iuri'  llu'  cliiiiinry." 
.Xnolhi'i-  ltnin!<\viik  nlUci'i'  iIim'h  iiiun- jii^lirr  lo  Ihr  i;iiiiTal.  am!  roiisiilriH  liiiii  olio 
nrilic  inii^l  iloMTviiii:  iilllii'ii'  Knulaiiil  imi'  had  ;  and  our.  "  wIidiii  llic  Uruiiswick- 
(•!>'  will  ahvavK  irincinbiT  willi  llir  ^'l■l'all■^'l  ''laliliitli.'  anil  rslfrni." 


nh'  Mils  iih:\h:iiM.  iiii-ii^sh'l.. 


105 


Imvu  II  luuiM!  Iiiiill  i'lty  us  imiiictliatoly,  lie  bmij;lit  niic,  I  lie  wiiIIh 
of  ^vliicli  liad  only  Jii.->l  Ihtii  ('(iiiiidflcil.  lie,  liuwcvcr.  pivo 
(inlers  tliat  i^vcry  tliiii;;  mIhhiIiI  Im  in  rwidiiiess  liir  mil'  riM'('|iliim 
]>y  ('luistiiias-iivi',  anil  l)i'i;iic(l  im  t(i  jjjivi!  ilinM'tiiiii,s  I'm-  tlio 
iirraii;;i!iiu'iit  ol'  diir  ruimis  In  llu'  incantinH^  we  it'siiU'd  willi 
an  inlialiitant  III'  tlio  place.  ( hir  |ilan  vas  ^ivi-n  nut;  ami  tit 
•  iiir  ^rcal  asloniHlimt'iil  we  won.'  aldi;  lo  uaf  mir  Cliristinas  pic, 
in  our  nt^w  Iiouhc  —  wiiii  wliicli  diwli  I'n"  Kii>;lisli  always  ccKs- 
bnitc  Ciiristnuis  day  —  altli(iuj,di  tiu'  lnos  for  our  liuildinj.^  Iiad 
not  hecn  I'cllud  nor  the  boards  sawud  until  after  "ur  arrival. 
I 'poll  tlic  walls  pretty  jiajie'-l  ,,iiij:s  were  pas  d.  and  we  had 
really  (|iiitc  a  s|iruee  residv  iice.  Wu  •  id  a  lar^e  diiiiiij;-riPoni, 
uiid  near  by,  a  ;irutty  room  I'or  my  IiuhIimuJ,  dose  to  which  wiiH 
our  sleeping  apartmunt  :  then  i mie  i  euiiiiinjj;  little  nursery,  to 
which  was  attached  a  closet  fitted  uji  jiccially  I'or  our  eldest 
daiijihter;  and  last  of  all,  a  larjie  and  beaiilil'iil  par!'  r  which  we 
used  as  ii  sittinj^  room.  The  entry  resembled  more  a  fine  upart- 
iiieiit.  Aloiif^  itH  sides  wei"  benches,  and  in  it  stood  a  irreiit 
stove,  from  which  stroiij:;  pipes  (;xtendcd  to  the  eeilinj:;  and 
heated  the  whole  house.  Over  head  were  still  four  larj:e  rooms  : 
line  for  our  fiMiiale  servants  ;  another  for  our  male  domestics  ; 
und  the  two  others  for  spare  chambers. 

In  the  spring;  of  17S2.  two  covered  pa,ssaj,'e\vays  were  built 
on  to  th"  house,  one  of  which  led  to  the  kitchen,  and  the  other  to 
our  wash  house.  Over  this  latter  was  the  i;uard  room.  We 
did  not  live  in  the  villaf;e  of  Sorell  itself,  but  about  a  (juarter 
of  a  mile  distant,  and  so  near  the  outposts,  that,  as  my  husband 
did  not  wish  to  be  captured,  six  men  sK'pt  every  night  in  the  entry 
upon  the  benches.  Our  immense  stove,  which  stood  in  this  hall, 
gave  out  such  an  amount  of  heat,  that  the  house  was  kept  always 
so  warm,  that  notwithstanding  the  biting  cold  which  exists  in 
('aiiada.  we  never  felt  in  the  least  chilled  as  long  as  we  remained 
in  the  house.  An  unpicasant  cireumstaui-e.  however,  h.'ippencd 
to  us,  namely  :  oU'  walls  became  warped  during  the  winter, 
tearing  our  pretty  paper-hangings,  and  creating  draughts  of  air. 


n »■ 


lyo 


LtriTKltS  ASD  JOIJISAI.S 


-■ifm  ;■ 


In  the  suiuiucr  of  1782,  my  liusbaiid  iiiiidc  a  journey  of  three 
weeks,  (luring  whieli  time  I  begged  tlie  Englisli  artisans,  who, 
aceording  to  the  orders  of  the  governor,  were  all  at  our  disposal, 
to  help  me  set  every  thing  to  rights  against  his  return.  Cabi- 
net-makers, painters  and  paper-hangers  ail  set  themselves  to 
work.  The  walls  were  repaired ;  doors,  windows,  chairs,  and 
tables  painted  afresh,  and  the  rents  in  the  wall-paper  mended 
with  new  paper  which  1  had  brought  hither.  On  his  return,  my 
husband  found  to  his  great  amazement  every  tiling  arranged  in 
perfect  order,  and,  as  it  wore,  a  new  house,  and  all  this  too  had 
been  accomplished  withvtiry  little  cost,  as  we  were  not  allowed  to 
give  the  artisans  any  thing  except  their  food  and  drink ;  for 
which  recompense,  however,  they  worked  with  a  will.  Our 
company  consisted  solely  of  men.  What  we  missed  of  society, 
however,  was  fully  made  up  to  us  during  both  the  winters,  we 
spent  in  Canada,  by  the  invitations  which  we  received  from 
General  Ilaldimand  to  visit  him  at  Quebec,  where  we  staid  six 
weeks  at  a  time,  at  the  house  of  Dr.  Mabini^  a  staunch  friend  of 
the  general.  Wo  dined  every  day  with  the  general  who,  at  the 
same  time,  was  so  kind  as  oven  to  .send  fitr  my  children.  In  the 
evening  he  would  come  to  the  iiouse  of  our  host  to  make  a  hand 
at  cards  smd  take  supper.  He  said  that  he  did  this  in  order 
not  to  keep  me  from  my  children.  He  often  played  until  mid- 
night, sometimes,  indeed,  till  after  one  o'clock;  but  he  was  so 
polite  as  not  to  force  nie  to  remain  up  against  my  will,  and 
accordingly  I  could  not  have  retired  even  had  I  been  so  disposed. 
I  have  hardly  ever  seen  a  man  who  was  more  amiable  and  friendly 
to  those  to  whom  he  had  once  given  his  friend.ship ;  and  we 
flattered  ourselves  that  we  were  included  among  that  number. 

In  the  spring  of  1782,  ho  begged  us  to  come  to  Montreal, 
where  he  had  business,  on  which  occasion  he  assured  us,  that 
the  time  which  ho  then  spent  with  us,  was  the  dearest  moment 
of  his  life.  I  rode  to  Montreal  in  a  sledge,  upon  the  river  St. 
liawrence  which  was  frozen  solid.  We  remained  tiiere  almut  a 
week,  and  returned  home  in  the  same  manner.     This  proceeding. 


OF  Mils.  UKSKHAL  liJUDlCsKL.  I97 

however,  Wiw  not  only  very  imprudent,  but  in  the  highest  def>reo 
liaziudous;  for  by  this  time  it  had  begun  to  thaw,  and  along  the 
whole  of  our  traek,  which  was  marked  by  brandies  of  trees  stuck 
up  at  intervals,  the  ice  was  already  covered  with  water.  (I 
may  here  remark,  that  this  practice  of  marking  out  a  particular 
path  on  the  ice  by  these  trees,  .soon  makes  a  well  beaten  road, 
as  every  sled  goes  in  the  same  track).  Our  Camulian  drivers 
seemed  to  be  ijuite  timid,  but  they  would  not  go  out  of  the  regu- 
lar beaten  track,  as  they  said  there  was  less  danger  in  following 
that,  than  in  making  a  new  one.  At  last  about  five  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon,  we  arrived  at  Sorell  in  safety,  though  we  had 
traveled  most  of  the  way  in  water  which,  at  times,  came  into 
our  sledges.  The  next  morning  when  I  got  up,  I  saw,  to  my 
horror,  a  ship  under  full  canvas,  sailing  up  the  river  in  the  very 
track  that  we  had  come  over  with  so  much  risk  the  night  pre- 
vious.* 

The  Canadian  winter  is  very  healthy,  although  severe ;  for  as 
the  weather  is  steady,  one  can  take  proper  precautions  against  the 
cold.  Thus  is  it,  that  the  people  here  do  not  suffer  from  cold 
near  as  much  as  with  us.  In  the  beginning  of  November,  each 
household  lays  in  all  their  stores  for  the  winter.  I  was  very 
much  astonished  when  they  asked  me  how  many  fowls,  and  par- 
ticularly how  many  iish  T  wished  to  have  for  the  winter;  I  asked 
whore  I  .should  keep  the  latter  as  T  had  no  fish-pond?  "  In  the 
loft,"  thoy  replied,  ••  where  they  will  keep  better  than  in  the 
cellar."  I  accordingly  laid  away,  between  three  and  four  hun- 
dred, which  kept  fresh  and  sweet  the  entire  winter.  All  that 
was  necessary  to  do,  when  we  wanted  something  for  our  table, 
such  as  meat,  fish,  eggs,  apples  amd  lemons,  was  to  put  them 
in  cold  water  the  day  previous.  ]}y  this  means,  all  the  frost 
was  taken  out,  and  the  meat  and  fi.sh  became  as  Juicy  and  ten- 
der as  they  are  with  us.     The  fowls,  moreover,  are  packed  in 


*  There  Is  nothinc;  improhable  In  thin  slatrnuMil.  Fiviiiioiitly  tDWiirdt"  s|ir',MLr.  Ilic 
whole  siirrncf  ol' Liikt-  ("hanipliiiii,  for  instaiieo.  will  be  covered  apiinrenlly  willi 
Kolld  Ice  line  diiv.  while  oil  I  he  iicxi.  iiol  llic  Icasl  panicle  of  il  can  he  seen. 


198 


LETTKRS  ANT)  ,JOVI{\.\hS 


the  snow,  wliich  forms  around  thoiu  such  a  crust  of  ice,  tliat 
thoy  have  to  be  cliopped  out  with  a  liatchct.     They  have  a  fruit 
iu  Canada,  which  is  called  ottocas.*     It  yrows  in  the  water,  is 
red,  and  as  large  as  a  small  cherry,  but  without  a  stone.     It  is 
carefully  gathered,  particularly  by  the  Indians,  and  sold  without 
the  stalk.     It  makes  a  very  good  preserve,  especially  if  picked 
after  a  hard  frost.     All  other  fruit  is  very  scarce;  and  only  in 
Montreal,  can  one  find  good,  yes,  e.vcellent  apples,  viz  :  "  rei- 
nettcs,"  and  a  kind  of  large  red  apple,  of  a  very  excellent  flavor, 
which  is  called  "  bowrrassas."     The  Canadians  pack  them  in 
barrels  which  must  be  headed  up,  and  pasted  over  with  paper, 
where  they  keep  good  until  the  very  last.     But  small  barrels 
are  used  for  this  purpose,  for  if  they  are  once  broken  open  the 
apples  can  no  longer  be  preserved.     Fruit,  however,  is  very  dear, 
especially  pears,  which  are  less  seldom  met  with  than  apples, 
and  are  not  so  easily  kept.     I  ordered  six  barrels  of  apples, 
and  half  a  barrel  of  pears.     One  can  imagine  my  surprise  at 
being  compelled  to  pay  for  them,  twenty -one  guineas.     I  had, 
it  is  true,  asked  the  price  beforehand,  but  they  had  not  been 
able,  at  that  time,  to  name  a  definite  sum.     My  husband  had  a 
large  patch  of  ground  behind  our  house,  converted  into  a  pro- 
ductive garden,  in  which  he  planted  twelve  hundred  fruit  trees. 
This  made  the  garden  not  only  ornamental,  but  useful,  espe- 
cially as  we  raised  in   it  a  few  vegetables.     Every  thing  grew 
splendidly  ;  and  each   evening,  we  went  into  the  garden  and 
picked  between  one  hundred  and  fifty  and  two  hundred  cucum- 
bers, which  I  made  into  pickles.     This  manner  of  preparing 
these  vegetables,  was  not  known  to  the  Canadians;  and  I  accord- 
ingly made  them  all  presents  of  pickles,  particularly  our  good 
General  llaldiiuand,  who  declared  them  to  be  excellent. 

It  was,  in  fact,  as  if  I  lived  upon  a  magnificent  farm.     I  had 
my  cows,  a  large  number  of  fowls,  and  Virginia  hogs,  which  arc 


*  TIk^  iTiuiborry.    The  t'lmiulinii   priisnrilM  still   soil   lliciii   in    the  iimrki)t»  at 
Mmilival.  iukUm-  this  iiaiiic. 


OF  Mils,  c i:\Fn.\i.  niFDFsur,. 


199 


black,  smaller  tlian  ours,  and  very  short-legged.  I  also  made 
my  own  butter.  This  was  truly  the  promised  land  to  the 
soldiers,  for  their  barracks  were  prettily  fitted  up,  and  attached 
to  each  one  was  a  garden.  3Iy  husband  gave  them  seeds ;  and 
it  aflbrded  us  great  satisfaction  to  see  their  hou.se-keeping,  espe- 
cially their  kitchen  arrangements;  a  pleasure  we  often  indulged 
in  when  we  were  out  walking.  They  exchanged  half  of  the 
salt  meat  they  received  for  fresh ;  after  which  they  would  boil 
both  kinds  together  in  a  large  kettle  with  all  sorts  of  vegetables 
and  dumplings.  There  was  also  considerable  rivalry  among 
the  soldiers  as  to  which  of  them  could  prepare  the  best  meal. 
They  divided  regularly  among  each  other  all  their  work.  Some 
worked  in  the  garden;  others  attended  to  the  cooking;  some 
kept  the  barracks  clean;  and  others  again  went  out  into  the 
forest  and  cut  wood,  which  they  brought  in  on  little  carts  made 
especially  for  that  purpose.  jMy  husband,  also,  had  fishing  nets 
made  and  each  company  wont  fishing  in  turn.  Every  time  they 
went,  they  were  so  considerate  as  to  send  us  some  of  the  fish  which 
they  had  caught.  In  this  way  they  had  fish  two  or  three  times 
a  week  ;  besides  which  they  received  every  six  days  a  bottle  of 
rum,  rice,  butter,  twelve  pounds  of  Indian-meal  for  bread,  and 
every  day  either  a  pound  of  salt  pork  or  half  a  pound  of  beef. 
Yet,  notwithstanding  all  this,  the  greater  portion  of  them  looked 
wistfully  toward  their  native  land.  My  husband  had  also 
Indians  under  his  command  who  loved  him  very  much.  His 
frank  disposition  had  completely  won  their  hearts.  Ueforc  my 
first  arrival  in  Canada,  one  of  his  Indians,  named  Hansel, 
heard  that  he  was  sick,  was  married,  and  felt  very  uneasy 
at  my  not  having  arrived.  He,  therefore,  came  with  his  wife, 
to  my  husband,  and  said  to  him,  "  See  here  now !  I  love  my 
wife,  but  I  also  love  thee ,  and  as  a  proof  of  my  sincerity  I 
give  her  to  thee ! "  My  husband  replied,  "I  thank  thee  and 
recognize  thy  attachment,  but  I  already  have  a  wife,  whom  I 
love,  and  I,  therefore,  beg  thee  to  keep  thine  own."  Upon  this 
refusal  he  seemed  sad  and  very  much  cast  down  ;  and  it  was 


rr^ 


200 


LKTTKKS  ASn  JOIIIXM.S 


only  after  considerable  persuasion  that  he  could  bo  induced  to 
take  buck  his  wife,  whom  T  afterwards  saw  very  ft-equently. 
She  was  (|uite  handsome.  This  Hansel  was  not,  it  is  true,  a 
real  Indian,  but  a  German,  who  in  a  battle  with  the  savages, 
had  been  taken  prisoner  with  several  others,  when  only  fifteen 
years  old.  All  the  rest  of  his  party  who  were  not  captured, 
were  killed.  All  of  his  companions  were  killed,  but  his  figure, 
and  his  courageous  defense  had  so  pleased  the  Indians  that  they 
gave  him  his  life  on  the  consideration  that  he  would  marry 
among  them  and  assume  their  manners  and  dre.ss,  which  he 
accordingly  did.  The  life  of  a  savage  must  bo  very  attractive, 
for  a  nephew  of  General  Carleton  lived  a  long  time  among  them  ; 
married  an  Indian  ;  and  became  so  accustomed  to  this  restless, 
but  free  and  pleasant  life,  that  it  was  not  until  many  years  after- 
wards, and  only  after  repeated  entreaties,  that  he  returned  to 
his  uncle.  He  then  married  the  general's  sister-in-law,  a  pretty 
and  amiable  person,  but,  they  told  me,  he  continually  longed 
after  his  former  mode  of  life,  and  his  Indian  wife,  the  marriage 
with  whom  was  afterwards  annulled.  He  served  in  the  army,  I 
believe,  as  a  major,  and  was  an  exceedingly  agreeable  man. 

It  wiis  at  this  time  that  I  saw  the  renowned  chief  of  the 
Indians,  Captain  Urant,  whoso  likeness  has  been  engraved.  As 
he  sliowed  considerable  intellect  and  talent  when  very  young. 
General  Carleton  sent  him  to  England  to  visit  the  king,  upon 
whom  he  made  so  good  an  impression  that  he  had  him  educated, 
and  promised  to  care  for  him  in  the  future.  He  profited  by  the 
tuition  which  he  received,  but  when  he  was  between  twenty  and 
twenty-four  years  old,  he  begged  very  hard  to  be  sent  back  to 
his  family.*  At  the  time  we  were  in  Canada,  he  was  the  leader 
of  the  Indians.  He  conversed  well,  possessed  polished  man- 
ners, and  was  highly  esteemed  by  General  Iluldimand.  I  have 
dined  with  him  at  the  general's.  He  was  dressed  partly  as  a 
military  man,  and  partly  as  an  Indian.     He  had  a  manly  and 


*  Mr!-,  liii'de^i'l  wan  inisiuforiiKMl  ill  ivfranl  to  llie  oarly  lilu  of  Hniiil.    His  llrst 
visit  to  Kiiglaiul  was  in  17T5,  at  thcajjo  ol'lliii'ty-tliioe.    TWcStoiiu's  Lift  of  li rant. 


r 


OF  MltS.  liKXKltM.  ItlKDKSEL. 


201 


intcllij^ent  cast  of  couiitonaiico.  Iliw  churactor  was  very  gentle. 
3Iy  husband  was  once  invited  to  a  gatliering  of  Indians,  wliere 
they  first  made  liini  a  speech,  and  then  begged  him  to  take  a 
scat  among  them.  They  tlien  oft'ered  him  a  pipe  of  tobacco, 
which  with  tliem  is  tlie  Iiighcst  compliment  they  can  pay,  and 
is  an  evidence  of  their  esteem  and  friendship.  They  also  gave 
him  a  name  which  in  their  language  signifies  tiik  si;n.  lie,  in 
turn,  invited  them  to  visit  him.  They  came,  and  ho  entertained 
them,  after  the  fasliion  of  their  race,  with  tobacco  and  rum. 

One  of  these  Indians  especially,  was  decorated  with  medals 
which  are  marks  of  personal  prowess.  We  invited  him  to  dinner 
and  forced  him  to  drink.  He  drank,  however,  very  little,  and 
said  to  us  in  broken  French,  "  Bon  enfant  Ic  sauvage,  lorsijue 
sobre,  mais  trop  bil,  animal  foroce  !  "  My  daughter,  Frederica, 
won  his  friendship.  He  begged  her  for  a  new  ribbon,  upon 
which  to  hang  his  medals,  assuring  her  that  then  he  should 
prize  them  still  more  highly.  Altogether,  he  was  a  very  kind 
man,  full  of  gentle  courtesy.  The  Indians  lay  great  stress  upon 
dreams.  A  certain  Johnson,  before  our  arrival,  became  a  rich 
man  through  this  belief.  It  happened  in  this  way:  the  Indians 
were  in  the  habit  of  often  coming  to  him  and  saying  to  him, 
"  Brother  Johnson,  we  have  just  dreamed  that  we  came  to  you, 
and  you  gave  us  a  great  quantity  of  rum  and  tobacco."  "  In  that 
case,"  he  would  reply,  "I  must  make  your  dream  come  true," 
giving  them  of  the  same  as  much  as  they  wished.  This  delighted 
them  J  and  they  came  more  frequently  to  repeat  to  him  their 
several  dreams.  But  one  day  he  went  to  them  and  said,  "  My 
brothers,  I  also  hUve  just  dreamed  that  I  came  to  you,  and  that 
you  were  so  well  satisfied  with  the  friendship  and  hospitality 
which  I  have  shown  you,  as  to  make  me  a  present  of  a  very 
large  piece  of  landj"  at  the  same  time  mentioning  the  particu- 
lar tract.  "  Indeed  !  "  tliey  exclaimed,  terribly  frightened, 
"  Have  you  dreamt  that?  '  Th.ey  immediately  went  out  and 
held  a  consultation,  the  result  of  which  was,  that  on  their  return, 
26 


20-j 


LETTERS  AND  JOURSALS 


they  said,  "  Brother  Johnson,  we  give  you  this  piece  of  land, 
but  do  not  ilrciim  lujain.* 

The  Indians  generally  treat  their  bodies  with  harshness, 
making  incisions  and  marks  in  their  faces,  which  they  paint 
with  difl'erent  colors  in  order  to  give  them  a  more  martial 
appearance. 

One  day  a  youth  was  chosen  chief  of  a  tribe.  This  caused  a  mur- 
muring among  the  other  tribes,  and  at  a  general  council  .so  many 
oflensive  epithets  were  applied  to  him  by  one  of  the  other  chiefs, 
that  after  much  altercation,  his  temper  kindled;  and,  springing 
up,  he  split  open  tho  head  of  his  antagonist  with  his  tomahawk. 
When,  however,  he  afterwards  reflected  upon  the  consequences 
of  his  rash  step,  which,  among  savages,  occasions  for  all  time 
feuds  and  bloodshed  between  the  tribe  of  the  murdered  and 
that  of  the  murderer,  he  went  to  the  house  of  the  English 
commandant  in  the  place,  called  for  a  black  ribbon,  punched 
holes  in  both  his  arms  (through  which  he  drew  the  ribbon,  and 
with  which  he  had  his  arras  tied  securely  behind  his  back),  and 
in  this  condition  delivered  himself  up  to  the  tribe  of  the  Indian 
he  had  slain,  at  the  same  time  acknowledging  that  he  had  killed 
one  of  their  number  in  a  fit  of  passion.  He  further  said  that 
in  order  to  prevent  the  shedding  of  blood  between  the  tribes, 
which  otherwise  must  immediately  follow,  he  had  rendered  him- 
self defenseless,  and  now  delivered  himself  up  to  them  in  this 
condition.  Upon  this  noble  behavior  and  his  evident  courage 
and  penitence,  the  Indians  of  the  injured  tribe  were  so  touched 
and  pleased  that  they  not  only  forgave  but  adopted  him  into 
their  tribe  in  the  place  of  the  murdered  man;  and  subscciuently 
even  chose  him  for  their  chief. 

The  Indians  behave  bravely  in  battle  as  loLg  as  victory  is 
upon  their  side.    But  on  retreats,  as,  for  example,  previous  to  our 


*  A  capltiil  sliry,  but  utterly  without  foundation  in  trutli.  Mn^.  Uiedcsel,  how- 
ever, undoubtedly  telln  it  as  it  was  related  to  her,  as  tlie  story  was  current  at  the 
time.  Vide  Slone"n  Life  of  Sir  l)//i.  Johnson,  vol.  I,  i)ft;,'e  34),  wliere  the  (acts  in 
relation  to  the  origin  of  the  royal  grant,  are  given  in  lull. 


OF  M/IS.  aKSF.lt.il.  ItlEDESEL.  208 

being  taken  prisoners  at  .Saratoga,  I  saw  them  first  run  and  then 
hide  tljomselvcs.  But  it  is  very  likely  that  this  may  have  been 
caused  by  their  fear  of  being  captured  and  then  killed. 

During  the  summer  of  1782,  we  passed  several  weeks  very 
pleasantly  at  (Quebec.  General  Ualdimand  had  built  himself  a 
house  upon  a  hill,  which  he  called  Montmorency,  after  the  great 
and  famous  waterfall  of  that  name.  He  took  us  over  to  his 
house.  It  was  his  pet,  and  certainly  nothing  could  eciual  its 
situation.  This  celebrated  cataract  of  the  Montmorency  plunges 
down  from  a  height  of  one  hundred  and  sixty-three  feet,  with  a 
frightful  din,  through  a  cleft  between  two  mountains.  While 
the  general  was  pointing  out  to  us  this  magnificent  spectacle,  I 
accidently  let  fall  the  remark,  that  it  must  be  splendid  to  have 
a  little  house  directly  over  the  cataract.  Three  weeks  after- 
wards he  again  guided  us  to  the  fall.  Wo  made  our  way  up  the 
steep  path,  and  over  pieces  of  rock  that  were  united  by  little 
bridges  after  the  manner  of  Chinese  gardens.  When  we  at  last 
reached  the  top,  he  gave  me  his  hand  to  assist  me  into  a  little 
building  which  hung  directly  over  the  fall  itself  He  was 
amazed  at  my  courage,  when,  without  a  moment's  hesitation,  I 
immediately  entered  it.  But  I  assured  him  that  I  was  not  in  the 
least  afraid,  when  accompanied  by  such  a  careful  man  as  him. 
self.  Ho  showed  us  how  the  house  was  fastened  in  such  a  situa- 
tion. The  manner  of  it  was  this.  He  had  caused  eight  strong 
rafters  to  be  extended  from  the  bank,  some  distance  over  the 
chasm,  through  which  the  cataract  plunged  down.  There  beams 
rested  for  a  third  of  their  length  upon  the  rocks,  and  upon  them 
the  house  stood.  It  was  a  frightful  but  majestic  sight.  Nor 
could  one  remain  in  the  house  long,  for  the  din  was  horrible. 
Above  this  fall  they  catch  very  fine  trout,  which,  however,  once 
cost  an  English  officer  his  life.  He  was  springing  from  one 
rock  to  another,  in  order  to  catch  thorn,  when  his  foot  slipped 
from  under  him,  and  he  was  carried  away  by  the  strength  of 
the  current.  Nothing  was  ever  found  of  him  afterwards,  but 
a  few  mangled  limbs. 


204 


LKTTKItS  AM)  .loVltNALS 


Wo  wore  also  at  this  fall  once  in  tiic  winter,  on  which  occa- 
sion the  various  and  stranj^e  tij^ures  made  by  the  ice,  afforded  a 
magnificent  spectacle  j  but  we  missed  the  roaring  of  the  waters. 
The  cold  was  at  that  time  so  intense  that  even  the  freneral's 
Madeira  wine  froze  in  the  bottles.  Instead  of  being  spoiled, 
however,  it  was  found  to  be  especially  fine  when  thawed  out. 
lie  gave  us  one  day  some  of  that  which  had  not  beeu  frozen, 
and  we  found  it  most  excellent. 

In  the  autumn  of  1782,  when  I  was  liir  advanced  in  preg- 
nancy, my  husband  received  orders  to  go  to  the  Isle  aux  Noix, 
and  lay  out  a  fort  which  should  protect  the  place  in  case  of 
attack.  During  his  absence  I  felt  perfectly  forlorn ;  and  my 
only  consolation  was  that  he  came  to  see  me  every  three  or  four 
weeks.  On  his  part,  also,  the  time  was  passed  at  that  place  very 
unpleasantly.  lie  made  from  there  a  short  journey  to  a  place 
called  Point  do  Fer,  which  lies  at  the  confluence  of  the  river 
Sorell  with  Lake  Champlaiu,  to  visit  the  outposts.  While  there 
he  came  very  near  being  burnt  in  the  barracks.  In  the  middle 
of  the  night  he  heard  a  great  commotion ;  and,  as  this  was  an 
advanced  post,  he  thought,  for  the  moment,  that  the  Americans 
had  learned  of  his  whereabouts,  and  were  intending  to  capture 
liim.  While  thus  thinking  an  English  oflicer  came  in  and 
asked  where  the  general  was.  Upon  the  latter  answering 
"  Hero,"  he  called  out,  "  For  God's  sake,  (ioneral.  run,  or  we 
are  both  lost  for  the  barracks  are  in  flames."  The  subaltern  did 
not  allow  my  husband  any  time  to  gather  together  any  of  his 
things,  so  that  he  was  obliged  to  run  out  naked  and  barefoot, 
through  the  flames  upon  the  ice.  The  danger  was  indeed  great, 
on  account  of  the  barrels  of  gunpowder  stored  in  the  barracks, 
which  might  easily  have  gone  oft'  had  the  flames  reached  them. 
However,  as  soon  as  my  husband  observed  that  the  soldiers 
remained,  and  were  busily  engaged  in  extinguishing  the  fire,  he 
returned  and  dressed  himself  by  one  of  the  watch  fires. 

In  the  meantime  I  was  taken  sick.     During  the  absence  of 
uiy  husband  I  had  been  in  the  habit,  by  way  of  dissipating  my 


OF  Mlis.  (iKSEUAL  UIEnKsKl.  206 

loneliness,  of  driviii}^  out  in  my  ciirriii^c.  On  one  of  those  occa- 
sions, my  pains,  of  wliich  I  already  had  premonitory  symptoms, 
became  so  great  as  to  compel  me  to  return.  They  endeavored 
to  persuade  me  to  sit  down  at  table,  as  I  alone  felt  tluit  I  had 
a  severe  trial  before  me.  I  had  hoped  that  my  confinement 
would  be  delayed  until  my  husband's  arrival  on  the  5th,  but  \ 
was  disappointed  in  my  expectations,  and  T  was  happily  delivered 
of  a  beautiful  little  daufrhter.  I  was  so  well  that  I  was  able  to 
write  to  uiy  husband  myself,  announciufj;  the  new  arrival.  IJut 
as  he  wished  very  much  for  a  little  son,  he  thought  I  was  only 
joking ;  and  when  at  table  the  health  of  his  newly  born  daughter 
was  proposed,  he  again  read  my  letter  attentively  to  see  if  it  was 
not  really  a  little  son.  Finally,  however,  he  was  obliged  to  give 
in  ;  but  on  his  arrival  home,  on  the  5th,  he  found  the  little 
maiden  so  handsome,  that  he  was  consoled  for  his  disappoint- 
ment, and  the  little  one  contributed  much  to  the  joy  of  us  both. 
But,  alas !  this  joy  was  of  short  duration,  for  she  was  spared  to 
us  only  five  months.  I  nursed  her  myself,  but  in  doing  so,  suf- 
fered so  much  with  my  breasts,  that  I  was  obliged  to  have  an 
operation  performed  on  them.  I  was  strongly  advised  not  to 
nur.se  her  longer,  and  I  at  last  yielded,  although  with  the  great- 
est reluctance,  as  I  had  almost  a  foreboding  of  what  would  be 
the  sad  result.  The  very  first  night  after  I  had  weaned  the 
little  one,  my  imagination  became  so  very  much  e.vcited,  that  I 
actually  thought  I  heard  a  voice  calling  out  to  me,  "You  have 
done  very  wrong  to  wean  her;  she  will  die  !"  Half  asleep  and 
terribly  frightened,  I  sprang  out  of  bed,  tore  away  the  things 
wliich  had  been  put  on  my  breast  to  dry  up  the  milk,  and  was 
about  to  give  my  dear  little  Canada  (for  so  we  had  named  her) 
the  breast  again.  But  my  nurse  would  not  allow  it,  giving  as 
a  reason,  that  it  would  only  injure  the  child,  as  she  was  now 
weaned.  Three  days  afterward,  she  was  attacked  by  a  diar- 
rhea, and  on  the  5th  was  very  bad.  They  would  not  allow  me 
to  nurse  her,  as  T  was  also  very  sick  with  the  milk-fever.  Hut 
I  can  uever  forgive  myself  for  allowing  them  to  prevent  me  from 


200 


LETTEliS  AXn  JoCtlSALH 


V 


doing  118  my  juJi^mont  dictated  ;  for  1  afterwards  hoard  that 
they  gave  her  very  little  nouriHhniciit.  It  is  true  that  at  length 
upon  my  repeated  urging,  our  cook,  who  was  a  wet  nurse,  gave 
her  tlie  breast  anew,  which  she  took  eagerly,  but  it  was  probably 
already  too  late.  We  had  a  distinguished  English  physician, 
named  Kennedy,  come  from  Three  llivers,  who,  as  soon  as  ho 
saw  the  child,  said  it  was  dying  from  debility.  Ho  had  aw  old 
hen  killed,  and  took  out  the  entrails,  which  he  had  cooked  with- 
out being  cleaned.  Of  this,  he  gave  her  every  half  hour  injec- 
tions, which  at  first  seemed  to  infuse  into  her  new  life ;  but  she 
was  too  far  gone  to  rally  permanently,  and  we  had  the  unhappi- 
ness  to  lose  her.  My  oldest  daughter,  Augu&ia,  who  had  loved 
her  little  sister  very  much,  became  sick  from  sorrow ;  and  my 
youngest  daughter,  America,  also,  almost  died  from  the  same 
cause,  before  her  sister  even  was  buried.  ]?ut  the  physician 
who  was  still  with  us,  made  such  good  use  of  his  remedies  that 
she  was  spared  to  us. 

My  husband  was  so  beside  himself  In  consequence  of  all 
these  calamities,  that  he  could  not  be  persuaded  to  come  into  the 
house,  until  the  doctor  assured  him  that  his  patients  were  all 
well. 

We  buried  our  beloved  dead  little  one  in  Sorell;  and  the 
officer  promised  me  that  they  would  have  a  tombstone,  with  an 
inscription,  put  over  her  grave,  which  would  prevent  the  iidia- 
bitants,  who  were  blind  and  zealous  Catholics,  from  taking  up 
the  heretic  child  out  of  the  consecrated  earth. 

Ill  order  to  dissipate  my  sorrow,  (Jeiieral  Ilaldimand,  in  the 
summer  of  1783,  begged  us  to  visit  him  in  (Quebec.  We  had, 
however,  when  the  invitation  came,  just  heard  of  the  death  of 
my  father-in-law,  and  my  liusband,  very  naturally,  therefore, 
longed  more  than  ever  to  return  to  Europe  His  health,  also,  was 
very  uncertain ;  and,  although  the  climate  of  Canada  suited  him 
better  than  that  of  New  York,  yet  he  was  never  free  from 
unpleasant  buzzings  in  his  cars  and  violent  headaches.  So  far  as 
regarded  myself,  also,  I  wished  very  much  to  see  my  mother, 


fiF  Mils.  i,h:.\h:iiM.  }!ii:iih:sKi. 


207 


brothorH  nnil  Histers,  once  more.  IimIihmI,  Iiiid  it  not  been  for 
this  lionicsickiiess,  T  hIkiuM  have  hccMi  iiertbctly  cuiitentcd  in 
Caiiiidii;  for  tlio  cliniiitc  iij:;reed  well  with  «iy  cliildron.  and  wo 
wore  beloved  by,  and  on  a  very  pleasant  footin;;'  witli  the  people. 
News  Inid  been  received  that  as  the  preliminaries  of  peace  had 
already  been  sij^ncd,  our  troops  would,  perhaps,  be  sent  back  to 
Europe  that  same  year,  (ieneral  Ilaldiniaiid,  also,  very  mueh 
wished  to  return  to  Knj;land,  and  had  even  j^one  so  far  as  to 
solicit  bis  recall.  We  often  formed  plans  with  each  other  to  make 
the  return  voyage  together  on  tbe  .same  ship.  One  day,  when 
we  were  at  his  bouse  and  were  walking  together  in  his  garden, 
we  saw  a  number  of  ve.s.xels  arrive  in  the  harbor,  and  among 
others,  a  very  beautiful  ship  anchor  at  the  foot  of  tbe  mountain. 
The  general  said,  "  Those  are  certainly  the  vessels  that  arc  to 
carry  your  troops  back  to  Europe.  I'erhaps  we  shall  make  tho 
journey  together."  Thereupon  my  little  daughter,  Frederica, 
who  stood  at  my  side,  said  to  him,  "  Well  then,  if  wo  go,  you 
must  give  us  that  ship,  it  is  so  beautiful !  "  "  My  child,"  ho 
replied,  "  I  will  do  it  right  willingly,  if  it  is  a  transport,  but  what 
would  the  king  of  England  say  if  I  should  hire  one  especially 
for  you,  for  the  cost  would  be  considerable?"  "Oh!"  she 
rejoined,  "  the  king  loves  his  wife  and  children,  and  it  would 
certainly  give  him  nmch  pleasure  if  papa  brought  back  his 
family  safely;  and  you,  would  you  not  be  delighted  if  your  little 
wife  was  also  taken  back  without  any  mishap?"  (The  good 
general  always  called  my  eldest  daughter,  Augusta,  bis  little 
wife).  He  laughed  beartily  at  this  rally,  and  said,  "Well,  wo 
will  see  about  it." 

Two  days  afterward,  he  called  upon  me  in  the  morning,  and 
with  tears  in  his  eyes  told  me,  that  wo  must  separate.  "You 
arc  to  go,  but  1  must  remain.  I  shall  miss  you  very  much.  I 
have  found  in  your  husband  a  man  whom  I  can  depend  upon, 
and  in  your  entire  family  friends  —  such  as  are  seldom  met  with, 
1  had  hoped  that  we  should  have  returned  together,  but  the 
king  has  ordered  it  otherwise,  and  I  must  obey  him.     Mean- 


'i  % 


208 


/.A/'y'A/.'.s  A\/)  .HH  US.iLS 


wliile,  I  Iiuvo  tliouglit  over  wliiit  your  (l»U};1itur  Hiiid  t(»  ino,  niiJ 
as  it  i«  my  most  uariiL'st  wish  to  liiivo  you  iiiaito  (lie  voyajio  to 
Europo  saiuly,  I  luivo  myself  oxuiiiini'il  tliu  siiip  titat  lias  beun 
choHeu  for  you  to  mcu  if  it  was  Huitable,  but  I  tind  it  unsufe. 
On  tho  contrary,  howmur,  tho  one  tiiat  your  tlau^litcr  was  so 
pleased  with,  I  find  to  be  as  ^ood  as  I  eould  wish  fur  you,  and 
therefore,  althouj^h  it  is  not  of  the  number  of  those  that  were 
selected  for  the  transportation  of  tho  troops,  I  have,  neverthe- 
less, assumed  the  responsibility  of  hirinj^  it  and  havinjj;  it  put 
in  proper  order  for  the  occupation  of  yourself  and  family.  Now 
\x,o  and  look  at  it,  and  order  it  fitted  up  for  your  comfort  exactly 
as  you  wish.  I  have  already  given  orders  that  every  thinj^  shall 
be  as  you  desire.  Vour  husband  is  about  to  go  to  Sorell,  and  it 
would  be  well  if  you  should  also  accompany  him  thither  to  make 
all  necessary  arrangements  for  your  voyage,  liut  you  must 
return  soon  and  give  me  your  company  for  tho  little  time  that 
will  remain  to  you  before  your  departure."  lie  tlien  left  me 
deeply  moved.  How  could  one  not  give  such  a  man  his  whole 
friendship '! 

An  hour  afterwards  Major  Twiss  came  to  take  mc  on  board 
the  ship.  It  was  a  largo  West-India  three-decker,  and  in  good 
condition.  The  captain,  also,  was  highly  praised  as  an  excellent 
seaman,  and  a  courteous  and  upright  uian.  They  showed  me 
every  part  of  the  ship,  and  reijuested  me  to  select  those  apart- 
ments I  desired,  as  I  would  certainly  need  a  dining  and  a  sitting 
room.  I  laughed  and  said,  "  How  can  you  manage  to  give  mc 
such  accommodations,"  "  Let  mc  alone  for  that,"  replied  tho 
major.  He  immediately  ordered  tho  cannons,  which  were  on 
tho  gun  deck,  to  bo  taken  away,  a  large  window  to  be  cut 
through  above  it,  and  on  each  side  closets,*  for  the  gentlemen, 
in  which  their  beds,  chairs  and  tables  were  securely  iastened. 
We  retained  for  ourselves  the  great  cabin,  in  which  my  husband 
and  myself  had  a  closet  with  two  beds,  and  close  by  one  lor  our 


'  State-rooiuB  In  modern  piirlanco. 


nl'  Mils.  i,h:.\t:iiM.  iiii:i>txi:i.. 


200 


cliildrcii.  Tn  sliurt.  cvcrv  tliin;r  \«iis  (•innrnitaldc  as  coiiM  lio 
exjK'ctc'd  ill  siicli  u  lluatiiij;'  jirisdii. 

Tlie  (lay  aftKi'  I  went  to  Sdri-ll,  in  unlcr  lo  tiavt-l  Taster,  I 
WUH  ndvisod  to  make  tlio  journey  in  a  boat,  i  loliowt'd  flutsuj;- 
p'stion  ;  but  we  soon  loiintl  tbc  water  too  shallow,  and  tbey  told 
«H  wo  must  a]L::ain  take  to  land.  "  Hut  how  siiall  we  rcacii  it," 
Haid  1,  ''lor  here  tliere  is  nofhini;  but  swaiuiis  an<l  stonesy "  it 
was  tiien  j)roj)osed  to  carry  us,  whieh,  indeed,  was  a  rriuhtlul 
undertakin<.',  lor  our  l)earers  Hlijijied  every  instant.  When  wo 
lit  last  reaehed  the  land,  a  new  dillieulty  awaited  us  ;  I'or  we  were 
oblij;ed  to  climb  up  a  hij;h  and  very  stony  nioimtain.  I  pni- 
te.sted  that  I  never  hliould  be  able  to  useeiul  it;  hut  the  ('arm- 
dians  who  are  inured  to  this  kind  of  work,  ami  can  climb  like 
chamois,  assured  me  that  this  was  a  mere  trifh;  to  them,  and 
besides,  that  there  Wiis  notiiinj;  else  left  for  us  but  to  ascend 
the  mountain.  Aecordinjily  they  carried  up  my  children,  at 
the  Hame  time  that  two  of  the  men  drau^ed  nu!  up  the  ascent 
umler  their  arms.  The  mountain  was  so  steep,  that  those  who 
went  ahead  of  me,  seemed  as  if  they  would  fall  on  to  me;  besidew 
all  of  whieh,  the  beat  was  unbearable.  Finally,  after  much 
toil  and  trouble,  we  arrived  at  tlic  top  ;  and  it  was  hij^h  time, 
for  I  was  so  completely  tired  out,  that  I  was  obliged  to  sit 
down,  while  my  veins,  also,  were  so  swollen,  from  my  bavin;.; 
overheated  my.self,  that  my  poor  children  felt  exceedinyiy 
anxious  about  me.  We  were  compelled  to  pass  a  niyht  on  the 
way.  I  found,  however,  a  yood  bed  and  some  refreshment,  both 
of  whieh  T  needed  to  restore  my  strength  ;  and  the  next  morn- 
ing we  again  set  out  on  our  journt'y. 

On  our  arrival  at  Sorell,  I  i'ound  my  husband  already  very 
busy,  and  I,  on  my  part,  set  myself  to  work  to  such  good  pur- 
pose, that  in  about  a  week  E  was  able  to  return  to  (Quebec, 
whither  my  husband  very  i^oon  followed  me.  IJefore  leaving, 
however,  I  took  pains  to  speak  to  the  parish  priest,  who  was  a 
very  good  man,  about  my  little  daughter's  grave  in  that  jdace, 
and  to  express  to  him  my  fears,  that  some  of  the  very  bigoted 
27 


I   ^ 


210 


LETTElls  AXh  JorriXM.S 


people  living  there,  out  of  blind  zeal,  would  violate  the  resting 
place  of  one  who  was  no  Catholic  child.  But  lie  assured  nie 
that  the  child  had  only  been  christened,  not  yet  confirmed j 
and  that  it  was  therefore  regarded  as  an  angel,  whose  ashes 
would  not  be  disturbed.  He,  also,  gave  nic  his  word  that  he 
would  personally  watch  over  them. 

On  our  return  to  Quebec,  I  heard  that  the  new  alterations  of 
our  ship  had  already  advanced  so  far  that  every  thing  in  it  had 
assumed  an  entirely  different  appearance,  and  that  General 
Ilaldiniaud  himself  had  been  there  several  times  to  oversee 
matters,  besides  having  sent  on  board  a  oow  and  her  calf,  that 
we  might  be  supplied  constantly  with  fresh  milk.  He  had  also 
caused  a  place  upon  the  upper-deck  to  be  covered  with  earth, 
and  salad-plants  set  out,  which  was  not  only  very  agreeable  but 
exceedingly  healthy  on  a  sea-voyage.  We  bought  also  many 
fowls,  sheep  and  house  vegetables,  so  careful  was  I  (as  there 
were  many  of  us),  that  our  table  —  at  which  twenty-two  people 
sat  down  daily  —  should  be  well  supplied. 

Our  physician.  Doctor  Kennedy,  on  our  passage  through 
Three  liivers.  pressed  us  to  arrange  it  in  such  a  manner  that  his 
family,  namely,  his  wife  and  three  daughters,  two  maid-servants 
and  an  attendant,  could  go  with  us  to  Europe.  We  promised 
him,  accordingly,  to  speak  with  the  general,  for  he  was  very 
skillful,  and  we  thought  it  would  be  a  capital  idea  to  have  such 
a  man  with  us.  The  general  replied  to  me,  when  I  asked  him, 
"  The  ship  is  yours,  arrange  matters  as  you  please;  but  you  do 
not  know  the  pretentions  of  these  people,  who  will  make  you  a 
gi'od  deal  of  trouble."  T  learned  afterward,  by  dear  experience, 
that  he  knew  his  man  well. 

Another  cabin  was,  accordingly,  fixed  up  close  to  ours  for 
Madame  Kennedy  and  two  "f  her  daughters  and  a  maidservant ; 
my  children  taking  her  third  daughter,  who  was  ten  years  old, 
in  their  own  state-rodm.  The  doctor,  himself,  occujiied  one  of  the 
cabins  in  the  great  space  adjuining  the  saloon. 

On  our  departure,  my  husband  sent  to  the  good  general  his 


OF  .uns:  GEXKUAL  UlEDESKL. 


211 


favorite  marc,  with  her  bciiutit'iil  foal;  and  in  return  he  sent 
nie  ii  magnificent  muff  and  tippet  of  sable,  to  remind  us  of  the 
land  where  we  had  so  lonjj;  resided.  This,  too,  was  the  more 
appropriate,  as  furs  of  many  kinds  are  the  principal  products  of 
Canada.  English  merchants  become  rich  by  sending  over  com- 
mon articles  of  merchandise,  which  they  exchange  for  furs, 
that  are  afterward  dressed  in  England. 

The  general  also,  presented  my  daughter,  Augusta,  with  a 
beautiful  hound;  and  indeed  he  neglected  no  opportunity  of 
showing  his  great  friendship  for  us ;  and  on  our  departure  he 
was  so  much  moved,  that  we  also,  were  deeply  affected.  Two 
days  before  our  departure,  the  English  olficers  paid  us  the  atten- 
tion—  in  a  comedy  which  they  gave  twice  a  week,  and  the 
receipts  of  which,  after  deducting  tlie  expenses  of  lighting  up, 
went  to  the  poor  —  of  giving,  at  the  end  of  the  performance,  a 
truly  touching  song,  expressive  of  their  regret  at  the  departure 
of  our  troops;  closing  with  thanking  my  husband  for  his  kind 
treatment  of  each  one  of  them,  and  with  wishing  us  a  prosperous 
journey. 

After  my  husband  had  seen  to  the  embarkation  of  the  troops, 
we  took  dinner  and  tea  with  the  general;  after  which,  he  car- 
ried us  himself,  to  the  ship,  where  we  took  a  right  hearty  and 
sad  farewell  of  him,  and  .several  others,  wljo  had  showed  us 
friendship. 


MRS.  RIEDESEL'S  ACCOUNT  OF  HER  RETURN 
JOURXEY  TO  EUROPE. 


» 


It  was  about  tlio  middle  of  the  month  of  August,  when  we 
set  out  on  our  return  journey  to  Europe.  My  husband,  myself 
and  our  three  children  went,  as  I  have  already  said,  in  the 
same  ship.  The  morning  after  we  had  embarked,  the  signal 
of  our  departure  was  given.  Every  one  laid  in  as  great  a 
supply  of  fresh  meat  as  he  could;  and  an  liour  after,  our 
whole  fleet  was  under  sail  We  sailed  as  far  as  the  Isle  do  Bee, 
at  the  mouth  of  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  where  we  were  obliged 
to  lie  two  whole  weeks  waiting  for  favorable  winds.  This  made 
it  the  more  unfortunate  for  all  hands,  as  we  were  consetjuently 
forced  to  use  up  our  sujiplies  of  fresh  meat  and  vegetables,  i'or 
the  surrounding  country  had  those  articles  neither  as  good,  nor 
as  abundant  as  was  necessary  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  whole 
fleet.  We  also  learned  that  we  would  not  be  able  to  reach 
Europe  before  the  e(iuinoctial,  and  would  run  great  danger 
of  meeting  with  the  storms  so  prevalent  at  that  time  oft'  the 
English  coast. 

While  we  were  in  this  frame  of  mind,  our  chaplain,  Mylius, 
of  my  husband's  regiment,  held  one  iSunday  his  accu.stomed 
service;  and  just  as  he  was  praying  most  fervently  that  God 
would  soon  grant  us  a  favorable  wind  and  a  happy  arrival  in  our 
father-land,  the  ship,  which  had  hithi^rto  lain  motionless  in  the 
calm,  suddenly  began  tumove;  and  as  the  chaplain  said,  "Amen," 
the  cry  went  round  that  the  English  commodore,  who  com- 
manded the  fleet,  had  just  given  the  signal  for  our  de})arture. 


LKTTKIIS  .1A7>  JOVllXMS. 


213 


lliilFan  hour  after,  ho  passed  us  witli  his  sliip,  and  the  whole 
fleet  followed  him  under  full  sail. 

As  the  passage  with  the  fleet,  which  was  often  delayed,  was 
exceedingly  tedious,  my  husband  wished  very  much  to  leave  it 
and  go  on  ahead  in  order  to  deliver,  as  (|uiekly  as  possible,  the 
dispatches  which  General  llaldiniand  had  sent  to  the  king 
through  him.  It  was  also  the  wish  of  our  ship's  captain  to  And 
an  opportunity  of  separating  from  the  fleet  and  sailing  faster, 
but  he  dared  not  do  it  without  permission  from  the  commodore 
who  commanded  the  convoy.  Two  days  afterward,  one  of  the 
ships  nuide  a  sign  that  it  had  something  to  say  to  the  commo- 
dore, on  whicli  all  the  ships  came  to  a  stop.  But  the  couimodore 
was  so  courteous  as  to  call  out  to  my  husband  tlirough  a  speak- 
ing trumpet,  "General,  go  on  !"  Our  captain  profited  by  this 
order;  for,  taking  it  as  his  general  warrant  not  to  wait  for  the 
other  ships,  he  spread  all  sail,  and  in  a  .short  time  we  saw  our 
fleet  no  more.  At  first  we  were  very  much  delighted,  but  after- 
ward, this  very  isolation  made  mc  fearful  of  the  result  in  case 
of  our  meeting  with  any  accident. 

Just  as  we  separated  from  the  fleet,  a  singular  circumstance 
luippened,  which  deserves  mention  in  this  connection,  only 
because  it  was  regarded  by  our  captain  as  a  sure  nnd  auspicious 
omen  of  a  happy  termination  of  our  voyage.  It  was  this  :  two 
pigeons,  belonging  to  the  ship  of  the  commodore,  flew  I'rom  that 
ves.sel  to  ours  and  could  not  be  driven  away.  As  I  have  just 
said,  this  incident,  our  captain  regarded  as  an  important  and 
auspicious  onion,  but  the  crew  of  the  commodore's  ship,  on  the 
contrary,  reasoning  on  the  same  principle,  considered  it  as  very 
unlucky  for  them  ;  which  foreboding,  indeed,  was  afterwards 
accidentally  confirmed,  for  the  poor  commodore  during  this  very 
voyage,  had  the  misfortune  to  become  in.sane.  ]}efore  this  I 
had  no  idea  of  the  many  superstitions  that  prevail  among  sailors. 
These  people  notice  every  little  trifling  incident,  and  draw  from 
them  conclusions  and  omens, 

iSoou  after  our  departure  we  noticed   that  a  large  number  of 


I  ' 


214 


LETTEliS  AM)  JOCllXALS 


black-birds,  ami  an  amazing-  (juantity  of'clolphiiis,  gatlmred  around 
our  ship,  and  the  horizon  became  a  yelh)wish  fawn  color.  Our 
captain  prophesied  i'roni  this  a  heavy  storm,  which  set  in,  sure 
enough,  the  same  evening,  and,  with  the  exception  of  a  calm  of  a 
single  day,  when  we  were  on  the  banks  of  Newfoundland,  con- 
tinued with  unabated  fury,  day  and  night,  for  three  weeks.  As 
wo  were  fortunately,  however,  sailing  before  the  wind,  we  made, 
by  this  very  means,  the  passage  from  the  Isle  do  ]icc,  to  the 
bay  of  St.  Helen,  in  eighteen  days,  an  instance  of  unheard-of 
speed,  as  the  only  example  in  the  least  similar,  was  that  of  a 
French  frigate,  which  went  the  same  distance  in  eighteen  days, 
one  day  longer  than  our  passage. 

One  evening,  one  of  our  sails  was  torn  away,  and  as  it  was 
very  dark,  this  made  bad  work,  for  our  ship  was  dreadfully 
tossed,  and  lay  entirely  upon  one  of  her  sides.  However,  before 
the  next  night  the  injury  was  repaired. 

Some  days  after,  we  perceived  a  burning  smell,  and  were  the 
more  anxious  to  discover  whence  it  came,  because  under  our 
cabin  was  the  powder  room.  After  searching  in  vain  for  a  long 
time.  I  at  last  found  that  in  the  state-room  of  .Madame  Kennedy, 
a  string  which  held  a  lantern,  had  caught  fire,  and  had  already 
burned  u[)  clo!<e  to  a  rafter,  whicii,  as  is  customary  upon  ships, 
was  smeared  with  tar  and  on  that  account  would  the  more  easily 
have  burned.  T  hastened  to  point  it  out,  and  the  captain  was 
very  much  delighted  at  the  discovery  of  the  source  of  the  lire. 
He  represented  to  Mrs.  Kennedy  the  danger  in  which  she  had 
placed  us  all,  and  begged  her  to  be  more  careful  in  future. 
IJut  she,  instead  of  acknowledging  it  with  thanks,  as  she  had 
also  escaped  the  danger,  considered  herself  a  very  much  injured 
woman,  was  sulky  toward  me  for  miu-e  than  a  week,  and  did 
7iothing  less  than  to  place  upon  the  thior  of  her  cabin  a  night 
lamp,  which,  as  it  slid  hither  and  thithi'r  by  the  motion  of  the 
ship,  gave  us  much  anxiety.  My  husband  and  I  could  scarcely 
sleep  on  account  of  the  violi.Mice  of  the  storm,  and  the  flu'iner 
passed  the  greater  part  of  (he  night  on  deck.     On  one  (jcca- 


!  I 


OF  MliS.  (iEXKU.M,  niKDKShU..  215 

sion,  I  said  to  the  captain  that  wliat  I  most  feared  was  tlio  so- 
called  (lea(l-li;;hts.  These  are  wooden  windows  which  in  case  of 
a  violent  storm  are  [ilaced  in  the  windows  of  the  ship  to  keep  the 
water  from  eoniirit;'  in.  The  captain,  a  very  kind  and  amiable 
man,  endeavored  to  reassure  me  by  saying  that  our  ship  was  so 
very  high  out  of  the  water,  that  a  storm  must  be  extraordinarily 
heavy  to  render  these  windows  necessary  ;  and  further,  that  in 
sunnner  tliere  never  liad  been  an  instance  known  of  a  storm  so 
violent  as  to  render  such  a  proceeding  needful. 

It  was  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening  when  he  said  this  to  me, 
and  at  ten  o'clock  tlic  storm  was  so  violent  that  no  one  went  to 
bed.  Toward  midnight  some  one  knocked  at  our  door;  1  inquired 
who  was  there,  and  received  to  my  great  horror  the  reply  that 
the  captain  had  sent  down  the  dreaded  dead  lights  for  our  win- 
dows. "  It  is  impossible,"  cried  I,  "  beg  the  captain  to  come  to 
me."  He  came  at  once  and  told  us  that  the  storm  was  so  violent 
that  he  must  resort  to  these  means  to  keep  the  waves  from  dashing 
in  at  the  windows.  He,  however,  assured  me,  that  otherwise 
there  was  no  actual  danger,  a.s  the  ship  was  amply  strong  enough 
to  ride  out  the  storm.  The  storm  continued  the  whole  night 
with  unabated  fury,  and  just  at  sunrise  it  carried  away  one  of 
our  masts.  Madame  Kennedy  was  in  tears  the  whole  of  the 
night,  and  lamented  especially  that  her  sons  had  by  this  time 
arrived  safely  in  England,  and  would  in  all  probability  survive 
her. 

Early  in  the  morning  at  five  o'clock  I  went  into  the  room 
where  my  children  were  asleep.  [  hesitated  whether  to  wake 
them,  or  allow  them  to  sleep  on  in  peaceful  ignorance  of  our 
dangerous  situation.  I  could  not,  however,  in  tlio  sorrowful 
presentment  that  W(!  were  all  al)(mt  to  perish,  restrain  myself 
from  embracing  them  all  in  turn.  When  1  came  to  my  eldest 
daughter,  Augusta,  I  found  her  awake ;  but  she  had  abstained 
from  uttering  the  least  cry.  in  order  not  to  disturb  nu' still  nmn!. 
"Alas  I  what  a  storm,"  said  I,  '•  are  you  not  terribly  frightened  '/  " 
"  Oh  yes,"  she  replied,  '•  but  my  consolation  is,  that  at  any  rate 


yi'r-'-mum^^ 


21(1 


LETTERS  AXfl  JOVRNALH 


wc  shall  not  survive  you."  These  few  words,  which  showed 
their  tender  love,  as  well  as  resignation,  touched  my  innermost 
heart. 

At  one  time  during  the  gale  the  ship  was  so  dreadfully  shaken 
and  thrown  so  violently  upon  one  side,  that  I  said  to  myself, 
one  more  such  a  shaking  and  it  will  be  all  over  with  us.  At 
last,  however,  day-break  put  an  end  to  my  sufferings;  for  although 
the  wind  was  still  strong  enough  in  all  conscience,  yet  the  storm 
had  considerably  abated.  The  wind,  nevertheless,  was  always 
favorable  for  us,  and  drove  us  along  with  such  I'orce,  that  we 
made  fourteen  knots  every  hour,  a  circumstance  which  greatly 
assisted  our  progress. 

One  day  the  captain  said  to  us,  "  Should  the  wind  continue 
as  favorable  as  hitherto,  wc  shall  be  in  England  within  three 
days."  This  caused  us  the  most  lively  joy  ;  for  although  we  had 
a  sufficiency  of  almost  every  thing,  fresh  bread  and  other  provi- 
sions, milk  (which  is  very  seldom  to  be  obtained  on  board  a 
ship)  and  oven  nmsic,  as  the  hautboys  of  my  husband's  regi- 
ment were  with  us,  yet  we  were  all  worse  off  than  as  if  we  had 
been  in  the  most  miserable  hut  Indeed,  my  husband,  who 
shared  all  my  troubles,  remarked  to  me  one  night,  that  even  a 
pig-sty  would  be  better.  He  could  not  lie  still  in  bed  with 
comfort  to  himself,  and  I  believe  that  during  the  whole  of  our 
voyage  he  did  not  sleep  in  bed  more  than  five  or  si.K  nights. 

During  one  of  the  violent  tossings  of  the  ship,  one  of  our  cows 
was  thrown  out  of  a  hammock  in  which  she  was  hanging,  and 
so  much  injured  that  we  were  obliged  to  have  her  killed.  We 
then  made  her  meat  a  prcsfcnt  to  the  crew. 

Towards  the  end  of  our  voyage,  a  constant  and  strong  mist 
prevented  the  ca[>tain  from  taking  accurate  observations,  and 
his  reckoning  did  not  agree  with  that  of  my  husband,  who  was 
positive  that  we  had  already  passed  the  Scilly  Isles  (of  whose 
rocks  the  captain  was  exceedingly  apprehensive),  and  were 
accordingly  very  near  the  English  coast.  In  this  uncertainty, 
the  captain  determined,  on  the  evening  of  the  eighteenth  day  of 


OF  .)//,'■<.  (iE\i-:i!M.  I!II-:/>ks/:l 


217 


our  passage,  to  lie  to.  Uy  this  moans  tlu>  sliiji  would  remain  sta- 
tionary, and  be  in  no  danger  of  running  on  the  rocks  at  night. 

In  this  unpleasant  state  of  expectancy  (for  while  a  ship  is 
lying  to,  the  wind  gives  it  a  very  disagreeable  motion)  we  were 
one  day  sitting  in  our  cabin.  The  gentlemeu,  although  they 
had  finished  their  dinner,  were  still  seated  at  table,  sad  and 
thoughtful,  and  the  cajitain  liad  already  got  up,  and  gone  on 
deck  to  give  in  person  the  preliminary  orders  for  lying  to, 
wlien  suddenly  my  husband  heard  from  above  the  cry  of  land ! 
land  !  and  soon  after,  he  was  called  ou  deck  by  the  captain, 
who  pointed  out  to  him,  a  small  white  speck  glistening  through 
the  mist.  At  fir.-^t  he  would  not  believe  that  it  was  land,  but 
the  captain  as.sured  him  that  having  made  the  passage  so  often, 
he  indeed  recognized  it  as  chalk,  and  that  it,  therefore,  could  be 
nothing  else  than  the  shining  coast  of  Kngland.* 

Soon  after,  a  gust  of  wind  dissipated  the  mist,  drawing  it  aside, 
as  it  were,  like  a  great  curtain,  and  to  our  indescribable  joy,  dis- 
closed the  Isle  of  Wight,  and  the  whole  English  coast,  lying  in 
the  clear  atmospliere,  directly  in  front  of  us.  "  Xow,"  exclaimed 
the  captain,  "  I  must  put  on  all  sail,  for  we  must,  this  very  eve- 
ning- "ct  round  the  Isle  of  Wiuht :  otherwise,  I  will  not  be  able 
to  find  a  place  to  anchor,  and  may  be  driven,  by  storms,  through 
the  channel,  into  the  North  sea."  This  was  no  small  undertak- 
iu"'.  It  was  already  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  the  Isle 
of  Wight  is  thirty  leagues  long.  It  cost  the  captain  a  great 
amount  of  trouble  to  stretch  out  the  sails;  and  as  it  was.  he  had 
more  than  twenty  sail-yards  —  which  cracked  like  glass  —  shi- 
vered to  pieces  in  the  operation.  Hut  at  last  we  got  things  fixed  ; 
and  then  the  ship  shot  away  with  such  amazing  velocity,  that 


*  Ifroport  speaks  corn-Illy,  liaroii  liicdosol  was  a  bclUT  u'ciicral  lliaii  navi^'ator. 
There  is  yi't  a  tvailition  current  in  Hmnswicli  (wlicio  lie  residcil  tVir  sn  Ions  a  (inie) 
that  on  his  voyage  to  Anu'vica  —  wliich.  it  will  be  recolli'ded.  was  \cry  lonu'  and 
tedious  —  he.  one  niornini?.  j,'raicly  iiuinired  of  llie  captain,  •■  w helher  it  wimv  pos- 
tdlile  that  the  sliip  could  liave  sailed  past  Canada  in  the  uighl !  " 


218 


LETTKliS  AM)  .fftri}.\ALS 


at  eight  o'clock  tlie  yanie  evening,  we  arnvcd  safely  in  St. 
Helen's  bay. 

The  same  Jay,  I  came  very  near  having  my  foot  crushed.  I 
had  gone  upon  deck  witli  the  others,  to  feast  my  eyes  for  a 
moment  upon  the  land  so  close  at  hand.  Captain  O'Connell, 
one  of  the  Knglish  officers  that  wore  of  our  party,  jumped  up  for 
joy,  slipped,  and  knocked  down  in  falling,  a  block  pulley,  which 
rolled  upon  my  foot,  and  crushed  it  against  the  side  of  the  ship. 
The  pain  made  me  shriek  out,  and  I  was  not  able  to  stand  up. 
They  carried  me  into  my  cabin,  and  washed  and  dressed  my  foot. 
On  each  side  of  the  cabin,  there  was  a  sofa  securely  fastened. 
I  sat  down  upon  one  of  these,  and  my  little  seven  year  old  daugh- 
ter, upon  the  other.  Suddenly  the  ship  gave  such  a  violent 
lurch,  that  the  child  was  thrown  from  the  opposite  sofa,  on  to 
niiiic.  It  was  fortunate  that  she  did  not  break  her  arm,  or  a 
bone.  Although  my  bruise  was  extremely  painful,  it  was  luckily 
followed  by  no  i'urther  serious  consc(jueuces. 

During  the  night  we  remained  at  anchor  in  the  bay  of  St. 
Helen,  and  expected  to  be  at  Portsmouth  on  the  following  day. 
liut  our  ship  in  entering  the  harbor,  settled  upon  the  sunken 
man-of-war,  the  Eoyal  George,*  or,  to  speak  in  nautical  phrase, 
''  stuck  fast."  "\Ve  were,  therefore,  obliged  to  remain  the  next 
night  also,  in  this  unpleasant  situation,  and  only  got  off  the  day 
after.  The  night  was  accordingly  passed  very  unpleasantly,  as 
our  ship  lurched  violently  while  lying  upon  the  sunken  ves.sel. 
The  sight,  also,  on  all  sides  of  us  of  the  floating  fragments  of 
those  ships  which  had  been  torn  from  their  anchorage  in  the 
harbor  of  Portsmouth,  and  were  wrecked  by  the  same  storm 
which  we  had  eiiconntered  at  sea,  was  very  sad. 

1  must  also  particularly  notice  the  fact,  that  we  anchored  in 
the  harbor  of  Portsmouth,  between  the  ships  that  carried  me 


*  Tli«  Koynl  Ocorjjrc.  sunk  .'iboiil  a  year  and  llnoo  nionllis  picvions  tii  Mrs.  Rie- 
(Icsi'l's  arrival,  viz:  tin  IlicSMli  ol'  .liini'.  17s-.'.  Ailniiial  Koinponfcll  anil  '.ho  crew 
wuru  lost,  toyclhor  with  nearly  two  iimidruil  women. 


OF  nns.  CtEXEtiAL  mEDESEL. 


219 


from  Knj-laiul  to  ('anada,  and  tlio  one  which  oouveycd  us  from 
New  York  to  Quebec. 

\:i  the  ebb  of  the  tide  prevented  our  ship  from  coniiuj^  to 
land,  and  it  would  consume  too  much  time  to  have  waited  fur 
the  incoming  tide,  my  husband  chartered  a  lu<;jj,er,  which  is  a 
liglit  boat,  in  order  to  land  as  quickly  as  possible.  Hut  for  this 
conveyance,  although  tlie  time  consumed  in  making  the  trip 
was  not  more  tlian  half  an  hour,  we  were  obliged  to  pay  fifteeu 


So  we  at  length  arrived  at  Portsmouth,  about  the  middle  of 
the  month  of  September,  1783.  Our  liearts  were  very  light  as 
wc  stepped  out  upon  the  land,  and  T  thanked  (iod  for  the 
liappy  return  of  us  all,  and  especially  for  his  having  preserved 
my  husband  to  me.  We  ordered  ourselves  driven  to  the  best 
inn  of  the  place;  and  the  dinner  which  we  ate  there  seemed 
to  us,  after  what  we  had  gone  through,  to  be  the  most  deli- 
cious morsel  of  our  whole  lives.  The  white  bread,  especially, 
tasted  remarkably  good,  for  it  was  not  only  really  very  fine 
itself,  but  doubtless  seemed  to  us  much  better,  because,  either 
on  account  of  the  bad  weather,  or  lack  of  skill,  that  which  we 
liad  had  daring  the  voyage  was  scarcely  ever  well  baked.  In 
the  evening  we  indulged  ourselves  in  some  oysters  ;  but  wc 
soon  paid  very  dear  lor  this  delicacy,  lor  in  the  night  my 
daughter,  Augusta,  was  taken  with  a  terrible  colic  accompanied 
by  incessant  vomiting,  which  Doctor  Kennedy,  who  luckily  was 
with  us,  and  whom  I  immediately  called  in,  pronounced  to  be 
cholera  morbus,  which  by  the  bye,  is  one  of  the  most  dangerous 
kind  of  colics.  lie  gave  her  remedies  which  at  once  acted  bene- 
ficially. The  next  morning  our  chaplain,  Mylius,  was  also  taken 
very  ill,  even  worse  than  my  daughter.  At  length  it  was 
discovered  that  the  oysters  had  been  taken  from  a  spot  near 
Portsmouth,  where  there  was  either  a  quantity  of  copper,  or 
else,  where  co|)per-bottomed  ships  were  accustomed  to  lie  at 
anchor,  and  had  thus  absorbed  verdigris.  It  was  strictly  for- 
bidden to  take  oysters  from  this  ground,  and  those  persons  wlio 


220 


LK'l'TKliS  A.\l)  ./or//.\A/.s 


wore  eauLtlit  at  it  were  severely  jdiiiisluid.  Thla,  however,  diil 
nut  jireveiit  peojile  IVdiii  venturiiiji',  as  tliey  could  thus  obtain 
them  with  iiiiich  less  trouble  and  expense. 

in  the  I'orenoon  of  the  f'ollowinjr  day,  my  husband  with  his 
adjutant,  set  out  for  London.  I  entreated  him  earnestly  to  spend 
the  nii^lit  at  tlie  inn,  kept  by  tlie  honest  landlord,  who  had 
received  nie  so  kindly,  on  my  first  journey;  but  tlie  postilion.s 
drove  him  ever  a  difl'erent  road.  My  postilions,  al.><o,  wished 
to  take  the  .sinic  road,  but  1  insisted  on  havinj,'  my  way;  and  T 
was  received  by  the  honest  man  with  sincere  demonstrations  ol" 
joy.  He  i^ave  in  my  honor,  a  little  I'amily  concert,  at  which 
one  of  his  sisters,  wlio  had  been  blind  lor  seven  years,  played 
very  well  upon  the  harpsichord,  accompanying  it  at  the  same 
time  with  her  voice.  She  did  not  like  to  have  strangers  know 
that  she  was  blind.  She,  accor  lingly,  seated  herself  at  her 
liarpsichord  before  any  one  came  in  ;  and  as  she  had  her  book 
before  her,  and  her  eyes  were  not  seen,  no  one  would  have 
observed  her  misibrtune,  had  not  her  brother  told  us  of  it, 
for  fear  some  one  might  discover  and  speak  of  it,  and  thus 
injure  lier  feelings.  He  seemed  much  pained  at  my  husband's 
having  gone  on  without  stopping.  \  asked  him  why  it  was, 
that  the  postilit)ns  had  prevented  my  husband  !Vom  stoi)ping 
at  liis  inni'  He  answered,  that  it  was  because  he  considered 
it  disreputable  to  bribe  thorn,  ])ut  that  two  miles  from  him 
there  was  a  landlord  who  gave  them  considerable  money,  which, 
indeed,  did  not  come  out  of  his  own  pocket,  but  out  of  the 
money  he  made  out  of  strangers.  '•  IJut  those  strangers,"  he 
said  to  me,  "  who  once  nuike  my  accjuaintance,  come  again  to 
me,  for  they  know  that  1  take  the  greatest  pains  to  treat  them 
well."  His  house  was  prettier  than  ever.  The  whole  of  the 
entrance  hall  and  the  inner  court,  was  adorned  with  flower-pots 
and  trailing  .xhrubs.  Those  latter  wore  hung  tastefully  all 
through  the  house;  and  between  each  vine,  wore  suspended 
glass  globes,  in  which  gold-fish  sportoil ;  the  whole  arrangon'ient 
producing  a  most  charming  eiiect.      lie  again  gave  me  tlie  best 


ny  l/A'.v.  liK\K/{M.  h'IKHKsKI.. 


'2-n 


mollis,  ami  as  i;(i(i(l  Care  as  I  could  possibly  desiro,  for  a  prieo 
that  was  doy-  clu'ai).  My  liiisliand,  oil  flic  contrary,  hud  to  pay, 
at  till!  house  whcri'  ho  stopiicd,  a  trtMiiondoiis  bill.  Two  days 
al'tcrward,  1  arrived  in  Loudon,  whoro  wc  were  uiayiiilicuntly 
lodf^i'd  ill  a  hir>;e  hotel,  called,  if  my  niciiiory  serves  mo,  Tho 
King  (Jcorgo.  The  very  first  tliiiij,'  I  did,  tho  morninjj,'  after 
my  arrival,  was  to  hasten  to  pay  a  visit  to  excellent  Mr.  llus.sel, 
who,  duriiij,'  my  first  .■sojourn  in  JiOiidon,  before  my  voyaye  to 
America,  hud  shown  me  so  much  aflection  and  consideration. 
I  took  u  hackney  couch,  seated  myself  in  it  with  my  four  child- 
ren, and  arranned  matters  so  that  those  ;,'ood  jieople  knew  nothing 
of  my  intended  visit.  As  the  husband  was  in  his  rooui  enj^agcd 
in  making  his  toilet,  wo  went  iuto  the  shop,  and  placed  ourselves 
directly  opposite  Mistress  Kussel  who  was  just  then  engaged  in 
selling  some  sugar.  As  soon  as  she  perceived  me  standing 
before  her,  she  looked  me  sharply  in  the  face  and  exclaimed, 
"Can  I  trust  my  eyes';'  Is  it  actually  you?  IJut  you  had 
only  three  children,  and  now  tliere  are  four  of  them  !  "  F  could 
not  restrain  myself  longer:  my  tears  of  joy  betrayed  me;  1  fell 
upon  her  neck.  At  this  very  moment,  some  one  grasped  me 
from  behind  and  cried  out;  "  I'urdon  my  lady;  L  must  eiiibrace 
you  !  "  It  was  worthy,  honest  ^Ir.  llussel.  The  good  people 
wept  very  much  when  I  left  them ;  but  [  promised  to  come 
back  again  once  more,  and  bring  my  husband  with  me. 

Wo  were  daily  the  guests  of  some  one  ;  and,  on  one  occasiou 
dined  with  our  kind  New  York  friend,  (ieneral  Tryon.  One 
day,  while  we  were  yet  seated  at  table,  tho  queen's  first  lady  of 
lienor,  my  lady  Howard,  sent  us  a  message  to  the  effect  that 
her  majesty  would  receive  us  at  six  o'clock  that  afternoon. 
As  my  court-dress  was  not  yet  ready,  and  I  had  nothing  with 
me  but  a  perfectly  plain  augloise,  *  I  sent  my  apologies  for  not 
going  at  that  time,  which  I  again  repeated  when  we  had  the 
iionor  of  being   |ireseiitcd   to  their  majesties,  who  wtM'e  both 


*  Tlic  iiaiiu'  ol'ii  irarincnl  worn  al  that  tiiin'. 


•)•>•> 


I.KTTNIIS  AX/)  .InrilXM.s 


j)n!soiit  at  the  rucciitidii.  Tlic  iiiiccn,  Iiowcmt,  iih  did  al.xd  llic 
kiiij;',  reruivcd  iis  witli  oxtriinidiiiiiry  ;;rafi(iiiKnrss,  niul  replind 
to  my  excuses,  l»y  sayiiij;,  "  Wo  dn  imt  look  at  tlie  dicss  ol' tluisc^ 
|)t'isoiis  we  are  ^lad  to  see."  Tliey  were  surrounded  by  tlio 
pi'ilieessos,  tlieir  daughters.  We  seutiid  ourselves  buloro  the 
eliininey-lire  —  tliu  (|iieeii,  tlie  princesses,  the  first  lady  ol'hoiKU- 
and  niyseir  I'oriniiiu'  a  liaif  circle,  and  my  husband,  with  the  kinj^, 
standinj:,'  in  the  ct-ntre  close  to  the  lire.  Tea  and  cakes  were  then 
passed  round.*  F  .sat  between  the  ((ucoii  and  one  of  tlie  prin- 
cesses, and  was  oblinod  to  ^^o  over  a  ^reat  part  of  my  adventures. 
Her  majesty  said  to  me  ver_>  graciously,  '•  I  have  followed  you 
everywhere,  and  have  ol'ten  iucjuired  after  yt)u;  and  I  have 
always  heard  with  delij;ht  that  you  were  well,  contented  and 
beloved  by  every  one."  I  happened  to  have  at  this  time  a 
shocking'  couirh.  Ohservirif;'  this,  the  J'rincess  Sophia  went 
herself  and  brought  me  a  jelly  made  of  black  currants,  which 
she  ri!prcsente(l  as  a  particularly  ^ood  nnicdy,  and  forced  me  to 
accept  a  Jar  full. 

About  nine  o'clock  in  the  eveninj^,  the  I'rinee  of  Wales  came 
in.  His  younjicst  sisters  Hocked  around  him,  and  he  endjraced 
them  and  danced  them  around.  In  short,  the  royal  family  had 
such  a  peculiar  ^ift  for  riinioviiij;-  all  ri'straint  that  one  could 
readily  imajj;ine  himself  (o  be  in  a  eheerfid  family  circle  of  his 
own  station  in  life.  We  remained  with  ihein  until  ten  o'clock; 
and  the  kinji'  conversed  in!!ch  with  my  husband  about  .\nierica, 
and  in  (Jornnin  wbicli  he  .p  ike  exceedingly  well.  My  husband 
was  perf'eetly  amazed  at  ilic  Icinj;'s  excellent  memory.  As  wc  were 
about  taking-  our  leavt;.  tue  (pieen  was  so  courteous  as  to  say, 
that  she  hoped  we  would  not  very  soon  take  our  departure,  and 
that  she  wished  to  see  me  onee  more  ;  but  as  we  shortly  after- 
wards received  intelligence  that  the  Heet,  destined  to  convey 
our  troops  back  to  (iermany,  was  already  in   waiting,  we  were 


*  TluMlellcntocDiniilimciit  ipiiid  to  llic  l!ii'(l('<cl<  liv  llii-  iiifniiiml  icccplioii  will 
at  oncci  Htriko  llie  iviuUt. 


tiF  Mils.  (lExiniM.  itiFiih:sh:i.. 


'I-IW 


ohli^^cul  to  Imstcii  (iiir  (Icpai'turi-  so  tniifli,  dial  wo  wen?  iiol   alilc 
(i^niin  to  wait  u|ioii  tli(>  royal  titiiiily. 

|)iiriiii,'  our  sojoiini  at  this  tiinc  in  London,  I  made  tlni 
aci|uaintan('t",  ol'  Lord  Norlii  and  .Mr.  l'"o.\.  Hotli  calli'd  upon  us. 
I  nuidi',  also,  Hovoral  trips  into  tlio  Hiirrounding  oonntry,  partly 
to  bccoino  better  at'(|uainteil  witli  liondon  and  vicinity,  and  partly 
to  sec  tlie  most  note-worthy  olijeets  of  interest.  1  mi^ht  have 
profited  still  more  by  my  stay,  but  the  news  that  the  fleet  wliieh 
was  to  take  us  to  (iermany  was  in  .sailiiif^  trim,  ehan;;ed  all  our 
plans,  and  obliged  us  to  take  our  departiirt!  as  speedily  as  pos- 
Hible.  Wc  went  to  Deal,  where  we  were  to  (sndiark.  'i'h(M'((ui- 
noetial  storms,  which  we  hadsomueh  feared,  had  already  be^uii, 
and  our  eaptain,  himstdl'.  also,  wished  it  to  be  over  before  we 
embarked,  beeau.se  the  storm  was  very  violent,  and  the  entrance 
of  the  Elbe,  particularly  in  contrary  weatluM',  is  pri'tty  dillicidt. 
.\fter  waiting  a  day  in  J)eal,  and  the  weather  continuing;'  unpro- 
pitictus,  my  husband,  not  wishinj^'  to  detain  the  transports  lonj^er. 
determined  to  sail,  let  tbo  weather  be  as  it  would.  The  wharf 
at  this  port  is  vt^ry  bad,  but  especially  so  when  there  is  a  heavy 
storm.  The  ship's  boats  lie  on  the  beach,  from  which  the 
embarkation  is  nuide,  waiting  for  the  tide  to  come  up;  and  the 
Instant  that  it  rolls  in,  the  sailors  draw  the  boats  into  the  waterand 
shove  them  off.  This  process  made  us  all  very  timid,  as  it  seemed 
such  an  extremely  perilous  undertaking.  1'  had  my  youngest 
three  years  old  daughter,  America,  in  my  laj).  and  around  our 
boat  a  nundjer  of  people  were  standing.  Suddenly  the  frightened 
child  cried  out  in  Knglish,  "  Is  there  uohody  here  who  will  take 
inc '/ "  at  the  .same  time  .stretching  out  both  of  her  little  arms. 
Thereupon  an  exceedingly  well  dres.scd  woman  came  running 
up,  and  was  on  the  point  of  snatching  her  out  of  my  arms  as 
the  boat  was  being  shoved  ort',  and  1  had  as  much  as  I  could  do 
to  keep  my  hold  upon  the  little  one.  .\t  last  we  were  safely  in 
the  boat,  but  the  waves  to.ssed  us  hither  and  thither.  As  I 
believed  that  with  our  arrival  in  Knglarul  I.  had  escajjcd  all 
further  perils,  this  unlooked-l'or  danger,  completely  took  away 


iL'4 


LET'l'EIlS  AS  I)  .lorilXM.S 


all  my  presence  of  mind.  We,  however,  at  last  came  safely  to 
the  ship,  but  here  a  new  difficulty  awaited  ii8.  The  waves, 
which  ran  so  hij;h,  tossed  our  boat  hither  and  thither,  so  that, 
for  a  time,  we  did  not  know  how  we  should  get  on  board  the 
vessel.  I  at  once  declared  that  I  should  be  the  last  to  leave  the 
boat,  and  wished  the  others  to  climb  up  first,  in  order  to  be 
assured  that  all  my  family  were  safe.  jMy  husband,  therefore, 
took  the  initiatory.  The  .sailors  then  took  uiy  children  in  their 
arms,  and  climbed  with  their  precious  burdens  up  the  little  ladder 
that  hung  over  the  vessel's  side.  While  they  were  being  thus 
carried  up,  I  was  in  a  constant  state  of  fear  and  anguish,  for  if 
the  sailors  had  slipped,  the  children  would  have  been  crushed 
between  the  ship  and  the  boat,  and  lost  beyond  the  possibility 
of  rescue.  I  myself  was  drawn  up  in  a  chair.  As  soon  as  I 
touched  the  deck,  the  captain  came  up  to  me  and  said,  "  I  wish 
you  joy,  for  you  have  to-day.  run  more  danger  than  during  your 
whole  voyage.'' 

The  following  morning  we  weighed  anchor,  and  were  three 
days  on  our  passage  to  Stade.  We  were  obliged  to  sail  to  and  fro, 
as  we  were  not  able  to  pass  the  barrels  —  which  lie  in  that  part 
of  the  Kibe,  to  uuirk  those  places  where  large  ships  can  sail 
through  —  only  on  a  full  tide.  3Iy  husband,  finally,  became  impa- 
tient, lie  accordingly  had  himself  put  ashore,  and  traveled  to 
Stade  in  a  calash.  I,  however,  remained  behind  with  the  child- 
ren, as  it  was  thought  that  this  journey  would  give  too  much 
needless  trouble. 

The  day  alter,  however,  the  captain — who  accidentally,  and  I 
may  say  fortunately,  was  the  same  one  who  had  brought  us  from 
Quebec  to  Kngliind  —  begged  me  with  his  customary  and 
thouglitrul  i)olitcne.<s,  to  allow  him,  in  ca.<e  the  ship  was  obliged 
to  remain  at  anchor,  to  take  me  himself,  to  t?tadc.  Accordingly, 
at  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  we  left  the  ship  in  the  long- 
boat. Ik'fore  leaving,  Ibllowing  the  iustructions  of  my  husband, 
1  m  ide  the  kind  cai)tain  a  present  of  the  whole  of  our  provi- 
sions, consisting  of  two  cows,  fifteen  sheeii,  six  hogs,  and  a  con 


OF  MBS.  GENERAL  RIEDESEL. 


225 


siderable  quantity  of  poultry,  for  we  had  taken  great  pains  to 
provide  ourselves  with  every  thing.  For  these  presents,  he 
thanked  us  warmly.  We  had  six  sailors  to  manage  the  boat, 
but  as  they  had  to  row  against  the  stream,  these  poor  people 
became  thoroughly  exhausted,  and  I  feared  that  wc  should  have 
to  spend  the  night  upon  the  Elbe,  which  would  have  been 
exceedingly  unpleasant.  At  last,  after  much  exertion,  we 
reached  Stade  at  eleven  o'clock  in  the  evening;  but  on  account 
of  the  many  ships  that  lay  there,  we  were  not  able  to  land, 
especially  as  it  was  very  dark.  In  this  dilemma,  we  deter- 
mined to  cross  over  thme  or  four  ships  to  the  shore,  by  means 
of  boards  laid  from  one  to  another.  This  feat  was  success- 
fully accomplished. 

Having  at  length  arrived  in  the  town,  I  knew  not  where  to 
look  for  my  husband.     Every  one,  almost,  was  already  asleep  ; 
and  those  whom  we  did  meet,  were  either  drunk,  or  were  unable  to 
give  us  the  least  information.     I  thought,  in  the  innocence  of 
my  heart,  that  every  one  must  of  course  know  the  newly  arrived 
German  general,  because  he  seemed  so  dear  to  me ;  but  when 
one  said,  "  We  know  no  German  general,"  and  another,  "  What 
do  we  care  about  him  ?  "     I  felt   mortified   at  having  placed 
myself,  as  I  thought,  in  such  a  ridiculous  position,  before  the 
captain  and  our  oaiiors,  who  were  helping  my  trusty  Kockel 
in  carry'  g  :i  ^  children.     At  last  we  found  a  good  soul  who 
guide!    us     o    t.c  inn,  where  my  husband  had  put  up;    but 
ho  h(\  is  through  so  many  narrow  streets,  that  wc  were  fearful 
'le   wiS  ittking  us  out   of  the  way,  into  sone   by-path,  with 
the  iirit«ution  of  robbing  us.     We  therefore  determined  not  to 
enter  any  house  which  should  have  a  Sc.j..>.iuus  appearance. 
But  V  hen  we  finally  cinne  to  the  inn,  I  saw,  to  my  great  joy,  a 
night  watch  composed  of  our  dragoons,  standing  before  the  door, 
and  among  them  an  old  soldier,  who  had  always  been  attached 
to  the  person  of  my  husband.     J'his  good  old  man  took  myself 
and  children  by  the  hand,  nnd  srid,  ''  He  w  rejoiced  I  am,  tliat 
you  are  once  more  safely  in  iJevi  iany  !  "     And  lie  said  this  in 


J 


226 


LKTTEUS  AND  JOVHNALS 


such  a  cordial,  sympathetic  tone,  that  wc  could  see  how  full  of 
kindness  and  deep  feeling  his  heart  was  towards  us.  My  hus- 
band, who  had  already  gone  to  bed,  was  perfectly  overjoyed  at 
our  safe  arrival.  I  wished  to  entertain  our  kind  captain  with 
tea,  but  the  people  of  the  inn  were  in  such  a  snarling  humor, 
that  I  could  only  obtain  miserable  tea,  stale  milk,  bad  bread  and 
worse  butter,  and  besides,  every  thing  was  served  up  in  such  a 
filthy  manner,  that  for  the  sake  of  the  captain,  I  was  heartily 
asliamod  of  my  countrymen,  and  begged  him  not  to  judge  my 
father-land  from  these  specimens.  The  next  day  he  took  ...o 
departure,  when  we  took  an  affecting  leave  of  this  honest  man, 
who  had  invariably  shown  us  so  much  courtesy,  attention  and 
deference. 

We  remained  a  day  longer  in  Stade.  My  husband  was  obliged 
to  remain  there  until  the  rest  of  the  troops  arrived,  but  I  set 
out  the  following  day,  and  passed  the  night  at  Zelle,  in  the 
delightful  expectation  of  being  in  Brunswick  the  day  after. 
But  in  the  middle  of  the  night,  I  saw  all  at  once  a  soldier  with 
fierce  mustaches,  and  a  light  in  his  hand  standing  in  front  of 
my  bed.  It  was  the  hostler.  I  was  terribly  frightened,  but  still 
more  so  when  he  handed  me  a  letter  from  my  husband  which 
had  just  been  brought  by  a  courier,  for  I  feared  that  something 
had  happened  to  him.  However,  it  was  nothing  more  than  a 
message  from  liim  directing  me  to  alter  the  plan  of  my  journey 
and  go  first  to  Wolfenbiittel. 

There  I  found  our  entire  family  mansion  in  the  same  order 
as  I  liad  left  it  on  my  departure  for  America.  My  good  friends, 
Madame  I'aasch  and  her  daughter,  had  come  expressly  from 
JJrunswick  to  arrange  every  thing  for  our  reception.  They  had 
also  prepared  for  me  a  capital  supper;  and  after  refreshing 
myself  with  it,  I  retired  to  rest  with  a  feeling  of  the  most  hearty 
and  sincere  thanks  to  God  for  having  preserved  me  through 
so  many  manifold  dangers,  but  especially  for  his  having  so 
graciou.sly  watched  over  all  my  family,  and  for  the  precious  gift 
of  my  little  daughter  America. 


OF  Mas.  GEXERAL  RIEDESEL.  227 

On  the  following  day  I  had  a  call  from  our  excellent  duchess, 
and  many  old  and  dear  friends.  About  a  week  afterwards  I 
had  the  great  satisfaction  of  seeing  my  husband,  with  his  own 
troops,  pass  through  the  city.  Yes !  those  very  streets,  in  which , 
eight  and  a  hnlf  years  before,  I  had  lost  my  joy  and  happiness, 
were  the  ones  where  I  now  saw  this  beautiful  and  soul-stirrinji 
si)eotacle.  But  it  is  beyond  my  power  to  describe  my  emotions, 
at  beholding  my  beloved,  upright  husband,  who,  the  whole  time 
had  lived  solely  for  his  duty,  and  who  had  constantly  been  so 
unwearied  in  helping  and  assisting,  as  far  as  possible,  those  who 
had  been  entrusted  to  him,  often,  too,  out  of  his  own  purse, 
never  receiving  any  return  for  the  expenditure  —  standing,  with 
tears  of  joy  in  his  eyes,  in  the  midst  of  his  soldiers,  who  in  turn 
were  surrounded  by  a  joyous  and  sorrowful  crowd  of  fathers, 
mothers,  wives,  children,  sisters  and  friends — all  pressing  around 
him  to  see  again  their  loved  ones.* 


*  "  In  judging  of  the  hearty  reception  which  tliosc  warriors,  who  lind  fought 
80  bravely  on  the  otlier  Hide  of  the  ocean,  met  on  tlieir  return  to  their  lather  land, 
one  cannot  lielp  observing,  that  they  were  not  looked  upon  l)y  the  public,  as  mcr- 
cenarieg  and  hirdingx.  On  tlie  contrary,  Ihcy  were  lionored  as  l)rave  soldiers,  who 
liad  delled  innunienible  dangers  in  remote  countries,  and  experienced  many  adver- 
sities. All  the  dili'erent  classes  of  the  population,  hastened  to  tender  them  llu^ir  sym- 
pathy and  esteem;  and  even  aflcr  a  long  lapse  of  time  the  common  people  would  pay 
great  respect  to  hhn  who  liad  participated  in  the  war  in  Amerua.  Of  course  they 
had  heard  for  years  of  thesi-  warriors,  or  read  in  the  newspai)ers  of  the  renown 
tliey  had  gained  by  their  valor,  both  in  the  eyes  of  friends  and  eneniies,  «  hat  ven- 
turous voj'ages  tluiy  had  made,  and  to  what  hardships  they  had  been  subjected  in 
severe  captivity.  Their  deeds  were  celel)rated  in  song,  some  of  which  are  still 
in  use.  With  the  exception  of  a  few  individuals,  perluips.  pcojile  were  far  from  the 
idea  of  abuHing  and  calumniating  those  warriors.  That  was  to  be  reserved  for  a 
later  period."  — 77(6  Gtrmuii  Aiu-iluirks  in  Amfrim. 

All  of  the  Oerman  tj'oops,  however,  did  not  return  to  the  father-land,  as  llie  follow- 
ing extract,  whicli  I  copy  from  the  (Itneral  Ailrer/iser  and  Morning  IntelUtjencer, 
allows : 

"  If  America  has  been  the  grave  of  n  great  number  of  Germans,  sonii!  of  tliein, 
Innvevcr,  have  fouiulit  the  road  to  fortune:  and  among  the  latter  we  learn  is  t'ol. 
De  Menger  who,  having  been  taken  prisoner  of  war,  had  the  good  fortinie  to 
become  acquainted  with  Miss  Hancock,  only  daughter  of  the  late  president  of  the 
American  congress,  and  obtained  the  baud  of  that  rich  heiress,  who  is  besides 
endowed  with  the  most  amiable  (|ual!ties,  and  with  whom  thai  fortunate  olllcer 
has  gone  to  settle  at  Philadelphia, 


228 


LETTEUS  AND  JOUliSALS. 


Tlie  following  day  we  both  went  to  Ikunswick.  I  reiuenibor 
well  the  day.  It  was  Sunday,  in  the  autumn  of  the  year  1783, 
when  we  arrived  in  that  town.  We  dined  at  the  court,  where, 
in  the  evening,  I  again  met,  after  this  long  separation,  most  of 
my  friends  who  resided  in  the  place.  This  was  great  joy  ;  but, 
at  fhe  same  time,  it  excited  in  me  emotions,  which  moved  my 
iuL  .most  soul. 


I  N  I )  E  X  . 


Aci'LAND,  Liuly  iriiniet,,  93,  130. 

ArMimd,  Majoi-,  UH). 

JEsojiuH,  108. 

Albany,  1;}5. 

AniM,  Major,  179. 

Anstrut/ier,  Colouel,  85. 

Arbuthnot,  Captaiu,  88. 

Batten  km,  loo. 

Baum,  Lieutenant  Colonel,  90. 

Benm  heights,  aelion  of,  98. 

Jlcniiiiigtoii,  action  near,  9G. 

Ikrmdorf,  Count,  16. 

Jiluimfidd,  Captain  Tlionias,  i;J3. 

Brunt,  Josepli,  300. 

Bristol,  46. 

Breymann,  CJolonel,  90, 

Briuknd,  Chaplain,  123. 

Bremer,  General  ,19. 

Brunswick,  27,  226,  228. 

Buryoytie,  General,  0,  61,  GO,  97,  99,  113,  122,  127,  l;!0. 


Calais,  43. 

Carlcton,  General,  0,  20;  personal  ai)pcarauce  of,  30;  delivers  over  the 

army  to  Unrgoyne,  84. 
C'ark.'on,  Mr.s.  CJeneral,  30,  70, 
Carl,  Duk(!  ot"  l^ruii^wiek,  17. 
Cambridge,  ill. 

Carter,  son-in-law  to  Schuyler,  140. 
l.'uMi:  Toirn  (('asUetcii,  Vt,),  96. 


230 


l.\l>KX. 


CliamhUj^  88. 

Champhiiii,  Lfiko,  IJi.'. 

aiintfm,  (iciicrnl  Ilonry,  108,  100,  170,  IT!*,  182, 185. 

Cou()thu,  VXmrk'n,  8.  • 

ConiinuiiK,  (Jcnenil,  173, 174. 

Crmrn  Point,  m. 

DoUGlAS,  Adiiiinil,  ;Vi. 
J)t(i,u.  Piofcssoi-  K.  P.,  8. 
Dicirjht,  Thi'odorc,  8, 119. 

EoMCNPTON,  Cuplain.  ll.->,  io'i,  IGO. 

Vi-/  ■  -/,  F'  ^    i\ 
fklUnj,  y\»\  Von,  8. 
Ehrenkron,  Colonol,  (!0. 

Ferdinand,  Duku,  xn. 

Fiiil-,(inwY:\\,  100. 

Fid,l,  T.  W.,  8. 

Fuhkill  in:{. 

/!>//,  Cajitain,  ^0,  2.">. 

/'■<-//,  Mrs.  Ciiptain,  ;27,  40,  .1(1,  7:}. 

Fox,  Mr.,  228. 

/sVwfT,  Jingiidier  GnK-ral,  11.1;  clc'ith  of,  110  :  hi, rial  of,  121. 

Fneiim/i,  Captain,  101. 

IWcmmi's  farm,  action  of,  114. 

Frederick,  Prince,  1.1. 

Freikrick,  Prince,  regiment  of,  ai. 


(.J ALL,  Brigadier  General,  101. 

Oarel,  Mrs.,  101. 

Oittcs.  General,  107;  letter  of,  to  Biirgoyiic,  124. 

Ucwijb,  Fort,  01. 

Germaine;  Lord  George.  50. 

Oermnine,  Lady  George,  50. 

Hifliorn,  18. 

Glirlz,  ("onni,  Ml. 


Orecn,  Captain,  130. 

(frote,  Mv.  (le,  19. 
(luildftmalin,  Mr.,  4.-5. 
Gunther,  General,  14 

II.VLDIMAXT),  r.ciural,  194,  198,  200,  203,  200,  313. 

IfiniuHoh,  Brif;a(li(  r  Gem  lal,  104. 

//«>•'/;/,  Fort,  103. 

lLtruii(i(\  Major,  114,  \9.-l. 

Jliirnofji ,  3Irjs.  Major,  129. 

U(iy,  IIoii.  Will.,  8. 

llcme-IIiinau  rc,i;iinfnt,  3/5. 

Jliuilher,  M.  lie,  llaiioNt'rian  minister,  45. 

Howe,  General,  32,  61,  127. 

JTowe,  Colonel,'  l.')2. 

Jlotcml,  Lady,  221. 

Ihibcrton,  action  at,  9.'). 

llunthohU,  Baron  Von,  Lii. 

JeRU.SALEM,  A1>1)c,  30. 

Johnson,  SirWm.,  201. 

,Mh\h  Farm,  General  l?iedet>el  stalioneil  at,  97. 

KaPP,  Frederick,  8. 

Kennedy,  Dr.,  200. 

Kennaly,  Mrs.  Br.,  210,  214. 

Einiiskni,  Deputy  Adjutant  General,  lOT,  HO. 

Kityphausen,  General,  177. 


231 


LaFAYKTTE,  General,  112,  110. 

Ltijcrt,  19. 

Loos,  General,  176. 

MaSSOW,  Ucrr  Von,  Hillier  of  Mrs.  General  P.icdesd,  10, 13. 
MiHiviw,  Priuee  of  H.i.vony,  100. 
Meiningen,  8. 
Milhr,  Fort,  97. 
Montreal,  31. 


282  is'DKX. 

MunKcll,  Joel,  6. 

Newfoundland,  nimks  of,  214. 

jYf)//',  Isle  nu,  fW. 
Korth,  Loril,  44,  2^3. 

O'CONNELL,  Oiiptiiiii.  44. 
Ofiborm,  Coloiid,  14<,t. 

PaASCH,  Mu.biiiic,  IS),  22(!, 

PdcrHham.  Lord,  Vi;},  Vli\. 

riulUpn,  (UnLTiil,  01,  78,  104,  125,  IGO,  107,171,  177;  deiilh  of,48.'). 

Pli/mou(h,  2\. 

PortiiHonth .  ii2. 

iW/ici,  Captain,  81. 


Quebec,  25;  (Uscnpiion  oc,  75. 


ReDEN,  Adjtitiuit.lo. 

/iV'/,v,t,  Coniil  Jlcniy  the  XLIV,  10. 

Iii:yiu'h,  Mrs.,  120. 

limh'sd,  Mrs.  Gi'iicral,  .<k('ti.h  of  her  life,  Ui:  letter  to  her  niother, 
;}();  leiive-s  Wolt'eubUltel,  ;>8;  arrive.-;  iu  London,  42;  iulveulnre  in 
London,  45;  arrives  in  Uri.-tol.  4(1;  iueidents  of  her  stay  in 
Bristol,  48:  sets  out  for  Porlsmouth,  51 ;  returns  to  London,  50; 
visits  the  king  iiud  queen  under  the  (inspires  of  Lady  Geoig-c 
Cterniaine,  59;  sails  for  (hteliee,  62;  diar^-  of  her  journey  from 
Porlsmouth  to  Quebec,  (>S;  sets  out  from  Quebee  to  join  her 
husband,  81;  arrives  at  Three  Rivers,  82;  rejoins  her  husband, 
84;  returns  to  Tliree  J{i\ers,  85;  deseription  of  the  i^rand- 
vicar  of  'J'hreo  Uivers  and  his  housekeeper,  8();  visits  the 
L'rsiliuc  convent,  87;  sets  out  again  to  j(.iin  her  husband,  89; 
pas'ies  an  uncomfortable  niu,ht  on  Hattlesnake  islaiul.  !K1;  ]iasses 
through  Fort  treorge  and  arrives  at  Fort  Edward,  91 ;  resides  at 
tlie  lied  House  in  Fort  Edward,  !i2 ;  account  of  her  journey  with 
the  army  on  its  inarch  to  Saratoga,  113;  is  an  eye  wilness  o)'  the 
battle  of  Freeman's  farm,  114;  attends  the  wounded  ofh,':er 
Young,  115;  the  action  of  the  8th  of  October,  lltj ;  ministers  t.i 


/.\7»/''.V. 


2^:1 


tlie  wahls  of  Fmzcr  and  is  luesfiit  iii  liis  (li>atli  —  iilTrctinfr  ficcount. 
oflhe  scene,  121;  licr  i-cMiinit-ccnocs  ol'  Lady  JIariict  Arklaiid, 
advises  her  to  t-o  to  tlie  American  camp,  Vi:\ ;  arrives  at  Sarnlojra 
Oil  the  retreat,  125;  seeks  refuge  in  a  (ullar  diirim;-  tlie  hoiniiard- 
jncnt,  120;  after  the  capitulation  of  lJuru'oyne  sets  out  with  tjie 
army  for  Candn-idge,  l;j4 ;  is  entertained  by  ( Jeneral  Hchuyler  and 
his  will'  in  Albiiny,  VM\   arrives  in  Boston,  188;   is  quartered 
m   Cambridge,   139;   celebrates  the  birthday   of  the   <|ueeu   of 
E'lgland,  l;«l;   pays  a  visit  to  Jfrs.  Carter,  a  diuighter  of  (ie- 
neial  Schuyler,  110;  sets  out  for  Virginia,  148;  incidents  of  the 
j  lurncy,  145;  invites  La  Fayette  to  dinner,  140;  arrives  in  Vir- 
ginia, 134;  account  of  her  stay  in  tlial  province,  155;  nuikes  tlie 
acquaintance  of  Madame  (larel  at  Prederick->pring,  158 ;  habits  of 
the  Virginians,  slavery,  itc,  159;  sets  out  to  join  her  husband 
at  Yorktown,  160;  arrives  at  Elizabeth-town,  104  ;  visits  Iktlde- 
hem,  a  :M(iravian  eomnumity,  100;  reaches  In ew  York,  107;  visits 
as  a  guest  Governor  Tryon,  108;  also  tlie  country  seat  of  General 
Clinton,  170;  's  uverwhelined  witli  attentions  during  her  slay  in 
New  York,  171 ;  attends  a  ball  (of  which  she  is  ([ueeii)  in  honor 
of  the  queen's  birthday,  172;  sifl'ers  for  the  want  of  fire  wood, 
173;   is  brought  to   lied   witli   a  daugliter,   whicii  she   names 
America,  177;  again  visits  the  country  seat  of  General  Clinton, 
and  sees  shijis  wrc(.'ked  at  Hell-gate,  179;    removes   to   Long 
Island  on  tlie  present  Brooklyn  heights,  183;  sails  lor  Quebec, 
180;   touches  at  Nova  Scotia  when  she  and  her  husband  are 
cordially  Avelcomed  by  the  governor,  189;  enters  the  St.  Law- 
rence, 191 ;  account  of  the  Canadian  peasantry,  192 ;  arrivis  in 
Quebec,  Ifll;  pleasant  relations  with  General  ITaldimand,  visits 
him  at  Montreal,  190;    description  of  a  C:anadian  m  inter,  197; 
visits  with  ITaldimand  the  Montmorency,  203 ;  is  again  brought 
to  bed  with  a  daughter,  205;  its  death,  300;  visits  Sorell,  209; 
returns  to  Quebec,  and  embarks  for  England,  210;    aec(nint  of 
lier  return  journey  to  Europe,  312;  arrives  at  Porismouth,  219; 
sets  out  for  London,  220  ;  dines  with  Governor  Tryon  221 ;  visits 
the  royal  taiuily,  222;   makes  the  acquaintance  of  Lord  North 
and  Mr.  Fox,  223;  embarks  at  Deal  for  Germany,  223;  ariives  in 
the  Elbe,  and  lands  in  the  night  at  Stade,  325;  arrives  at  Wolfen- 
btlttcl,  220;  witnesses  the  entry  of  her  husband  into  that  city  at 
the  head  of  his  troops,  227;  goes  to  Brunswick,  22S;  her  death, 
15;  names  and  histories  f)f  heV  children,  10. 
.    80 


284 


i.\/>/:\. 


Rleiiesd,  Oencrnl  P'rcdcrick,  his  niiirriiijrc,  15;  Irttfrs  to  liis  wifd, 
17,  IH,  JO.  20,  21,  22,  2:i,  2 1,  25,  2m,  ;J0.  :il,  :i;i,  ;!4,  ;I5.  (iJi,  ltd.  rl7, 
7i>;  Joiiniul  1)1"  liin  cimiiniii;!!  with  Hiivi;oyii(«,  written  by  himself, 
M;  has  11  sunstrckc  while  ill  Viruiniii,  157;  >j,()es  t.i)  New  York 
to  lie  oxcliMiijred,  1(10;  hecoiues  very  ill,  180  ;  ree('iveH  iicoiiiinMiMl 
on  lionu  Isianii,  18!J ;  returns  to  Ciiiehei:  and  receives  a  eoiiimaiKl 
at  Sorell,  lUl;  returns  to  WollenhUttel  al  the  head  of  his  troojirt, 
227;  arrives  at  Bninswiek,  228;  is  raised  to  the  rank  of  lieiiteu- 
ant-Lti'iieral,  aiul  is  appointed  t'oinniuiulanl  of  the  city  of  Hruns- 
wiek,  15  ;  death,  15. 

Itotiiihaii,  Baron,  8. 

Uil::iMUUi,  21. 

ii-/mV/,  iMr.,  221. 

KiimU,  Mrs.,  58,  221. 


Sa1NTON(U-:,  ,ii;i'aiid- vicar,  at  Three  llivers,  ti5. 

Stiint  JAiinrnr^tWvr,  28. 

Hiivit  Jiihii,  (i7. 

SiiniUiijii^  eapiliilation,  at,  111. 

i<<-hlkff('/i,  General,  42. 

S-/i"j/lir,  (General  Philip,  0,  l:!0. 

)Silliii<(iii,  Professor,  5. 

Sk,eii«linmii'jli  (  WhilehaH),  mi,  110 

S'a'ii,  (^ijitain,  i^'overiior  of  Georgia,  71. 

S'xrht,  liieult'iiant  Colonel,  ;M. 

^•^jiiiwr,  Carl,  12. 

/S/ii(I<;  20,  224. 

Stijiu,  Mr.,  David,  8. 

Tic()N1)]:k(hia,!ii. 

Thrct'  Jiinrs,  (15,  85. 
Touii-diiamH,  Colonel,  (i5. 
'IVyon,  r.eneral,  1(18,  172,  1 18,  221 

VaI.KNTINH,  David'!'.,  8. 


Washington,  General,  u,  iii5. 

WiUhoii,  Mr.,  a  ricii  Lomloii  banker,  01. 


/\/)/:'\. 


285 


\Vif//it,  Isli;  of,  (Imifrcrous  liindint;  iit,  '217. 

WHkimoii,  GoiKTiil,  puMislicn  portions  of  AfiKlttnu'  HleilcHcrs  lotters,  T). 

Willoc,  C'aplaiii,  M^),  !)!),  li'A,  171. 

W'/nitl),  Coloiiul,  sponsor  nt  ii  1):i|>ti<ni,  177. 

I  OUXG,  Captain,  in  Suvcn  Yuiirs'  War,  5."). 
I'van'j,  Mrs.  Captain,  ."ili. 


Zel 


LE,  arrival  al,  'i-i*\. 


